German word

Schaufenster

Pronunciation

IPA/ˈʃaʊ̯ˌfɛnstɐ/

Meaning

  • neuter nounshop window

Example

In den Schaufenstern sieht man oft neue Kleidung.

You often see new clothes in the shop windows.

Illustration for Schaufenster (shop window)

More examples

Beim Abendspaziergang war das Schaufenster festlich beleuchtet.

During an evening walk, the shop window was festively lit.

Core concept

A passerby sees a shop's selected goods framed behind glass before entering.

Common phrases

  • einen Blick ins Schaufenster werfen

    take a look in the shop window

  • die Auslage im Schaufenster

    the display in the shop window

Similar words

Auslage: A shop display of goods arranged to catch attention and present the merchandise.
Vitrine: A glass case for displaying goods while keeping them enclosed.

Definition in German

Schaufenster bezeichnet das vordere Fenster eines Ladens, in dem Waren zur Ansicht ausgestellt sind.

Word origin

Schaufenster combines the noun Schau, related to schauen, 'to look', with Fenster, which comes from Old High German fenstar and Latin fenestra.

Usage tips

  • English showcase can also mean a display or event, but German Schaufenster specifically denotes a shop's window display.

Other meanings

  • showcasenoun

Opposites

  • Lagerraumstoreroomnoun

Related words

  • Schaufensterfrontshop-window frontagenoun
  • Schaufensterglasshop-window glassnoun

Word lists with this word