German word

schmücken

Pronunciation

IPA/ˈʃmʏkən/

Meaning

  • verbdecorate

Example

Wir schmücken das Wohnzimmer für die Party.

We are decorating the living room for the party.

Illustration for schmücken (decorate)

More examples

Am Wochenende wollen wir den Weihnachtsbaum schmücken.

At the weekend, we want to decorate the Christmas tree.

Core concept

A plain room or person gains visible ornaments, making it look more festive or attractive.

Common phrases

  • den Weihnachtsbaum schmücken

    decorate the Christmas tree

  • den Tisch schmücken

    decorate the table

  • mit Lichtern schmücken

    decorate with lights

  • die Fassade schmücken

    decorate the facade

Similar words

dekorieren: Arranging flowers, balloons, or fabric to give a room or venue an event-ready appearance.
verzieren: Enriching a surface with lace, patterns, or small decorative details.
verschönern: Making a place or object look more beautiful through cleaning or changes in color.
aufhübschen: Quickly improving something's appearance so it looks more appealing and cute.

Definition in German

Jemanden oder etwas mit Schmuck oder Zierrat versehen, damit es schöner oder festlicher wirkt.

Word origin

The verb schmücken developed from Middle High German smücken and is related to Schmuck, a German noun for ornament or jewelry.

Usage tips

  • Schmücken takes an accusative object, while sich schmücken mit requires mit followed by the dative.

Other meanings

  • adornverb
  • embellishverb

Opposites

  • verschandelndisfigureverb
  • entstellenmarverb

Related words

  • die Schmückungdecorationnoun
  • geschmücktdecoratedadjective

Word lists with this word