German word

schildern

Pronunciation

IPA/ˈʃɪldɐn/

Meaning

  • verbdescribe

Example

Sie schilderte die Landschaft sehr bildhaft.

She described the landscape very vividly.

Illustration for schildern (describe)

More examples

Kannst du mir den Vorfall kurz schildern?

Can you briefly describe the incident to me?

Core concept

A detailed verbal rendering turns an experience into a vivid account that another person can mentally see.

Common phrases

  • den Vorfall schildern

    describe the incident

  • kurz schildern

    describe briefly

  • die Szene schildern

    describe the scene

Similar words

beschreiben: Specific details about an object's appearance or qualities create a clear mental picture.
erzählen: A chronological account conveys what happened.
erklären: A clear account of causes or processes makes them understandable.

Definition in German

mit Worten etwas ausführlich erzählen oder darstellen, meist mit vielen Details, sodass Zuhörer oder Leser sich ein lebendiges Bild machen.

Word origin

The verb is historically connected with Schild, 'shield', and its earlier sense involved showing or depicting something before the meaning became verbal description.

Usage tips

  • Schildern often suggests a fuller account than beschreiben, while beschreiben can refer to a more general description.

Other meanings

  • give a detailed account ofverb
  • relateverb

Opposites

  • verheimlichenconcealverb

Related words

  • Schilderungdescriptionnoun
  • schildernddescriptiveadjective

Word lists with this word