die  Dekoration

B2

Estimated CEFR level.

/dekɔʁaˈt͡si̯oːn/

🎨 What does "die Dekoration" mean?

Die Dekoration (noun, feminine) refers to the adornment, embellishment, or decoration of rooms, objects, food, or people. It's about making something visually more appealing, festive, or thematically appropriate.

• Main meaning: The result of decorating; the collection of decorative elements (e.g., die Weihnachtsdekoration - the Christmas decoration).
• Also: The act of decorating itself (e.g., "Die Dekoration hat Stunden gedauert." - The decorating took hours.).

There is only this one article, die, for this word. It's a feminine noun, also recognizable by the suffix "-ion".

📚 Grammar of "die Dekoration" in Detail

The word Dekoration is a feminine noun. The article is always die.

Declension Singular

Declension Plural

💡 Example Sentences

1. Die Dekoration für die Hochzeit war wunderschön. (The decoration for the wedding was beautiful.)
2. Der Stil der Dekoration passte perfekt zum Motto der Party. (The style of the decoration fit the party theme perfectly.)
3. Wir widmeten uns der Dekoration des Wohnzimmers. (We dedicated ourselves to the decoration of the living room.)
4. Ich habe die Dekoration für das Schaufenster entworfen. (I designed the decoration for the shop window.)
5. Die Dekorationen für Weihnachten werden schon im November verkauft. (The decorations for Christmas are already sold in November.)

🤔 How is "Dekoration" used?

"Dekoration" is used when talking about embellishing or adorning something. Typical contexts include:

• Interior Design (Raumgestaltung): "Die Dekoration des Raumes schafft eine gemütliche Atmosphäre." (The decoration of the room creates a cozy atmosphere.)
• Events (Veranstaltungen): "Für die Party brauchen wir noch die passende Tischdekoration." (For the party, we still need the right table decoration.)
• Window Dressing (Schaufenstergestaltung): "Die neue Dekoration soll Kunden anlocken." (The new decoration is intended to attract customers.)
• Culinary Arts (Kulinarik): "Die essbare Dekoration auf dem Kuchen war ein Highlight." (The edible decoration on the cake was a highlight.)
• Fashion (Mode) (less common): Sometimes used for decorative elements on clothing or accessories, although more specific terms like Applikation (applique) or Verzierung (ornamentation) are often used here.

Distinction: While Dekoration often refers to the overall look or the objects used, Dekorieren refers to the act of decorating. Schmuck can be similar but is more commonly used for personal jewelry (rings, necklaces), although it can also mean decoration in contexts like Baumschmuck (Christmas tree ornaments).

🧠 Memory Aids for Dekoration

Article Mnemonic: Words ending in "-ion" in German are almost always feminine (die). Think of die Station, die Aktion, die Nation... and therefore, die Dekoration!

Meaning Mnemonic: Imagine you need a whole ration of decorative items to make a room look good. Deco + ration = Dekoration (to decorate, adorn).

🔄 Synonyms & Antonyms

⚠️ Similar but different words

• Das Dekor: Usually refers to a pattern or surface design (e.g., on crockery). Note the different article: das Dekor.
• Der/Die Dekorateur/in: The person who decorates (decorator).

😂 A Little Joke

Fragt der Ehemann seine Frau: "Schatz, warum hast du so viele Kerzen aufgestellt? Das ist doch viel zu viel Dekoration!"

Antwortet sie: "Das ist keine Dekoration, Liebling. Das ist mein Plan B, falls der Strom ausfällt UND ich dein Geburtstagsgeschenk nicht finde!" 😉

Translation:

The husband asks his wife: "Honey, why did you put up so many candles? That's way too much decoration!"

She replies: "That's not decoration, darling. That's my plan B in case the power goes out AND I can't find your birthday present!" 😉

📜 Poem about Decoration

Ein Raum ganz leer, ein bisschen kahl,
braucht Farbe, Licht, und Material.
Mit Bändern, Blumen, Glanz und Schein,
zieht Wärme ein, wird alles fein.
Die Dekoration, mit Sinn und Hand,
verwandelt Wände, Stadt und Land.
Ein Fest wird schöner, ein Heim wird traut,
wenn man auf Schmuck und Zierde baut.

Translation:

A room quite empty, a little bare,
needs color, light, and material there.
With ribbons, flowers, shine and gleam,
warmth moves in, a lovely scene.
The decoration, with sense and hand,
transforms walls, city, and the land.
A party's nicer, a home more dear,
when built on ornament and cheer.

❓ Riddle

Ich kleide Räume festlich ein,
mach' Feste bunt und wunderschön.
Mal bin ich üppig, mal ganz klein,
man kann mich kaufen, basteln, sehn.

Was bin ich? (Lösung: die Dekoration)

Translation:

I dress rooms in festive guise,
make parties colorful and nice.
Sometimes lavish, sometimes small,
you can buy, craft, see me, all.

What am I? (Answer: die Dekoration / the decoration)

✨ Other Information

Word Origin: The word "Dekoration" comes from the Latin verb decorare, meaning "to adorn" or "to embellish". The corresponding noun is decoratio.

Compounds: There are many compound words in German involving "Dekoration", such as:

• Tischdekoration (table decoration)
• Wanddekoration (wall decoration)
• Weihnachtsdekoration (Christmas decoration)
• Partydekoration (party decoration)
• Schaufensterdekoration (shop window decoration)
• Dekorationsartikel (decorative items)