die  Kulisse

B2

Estimated CEFR level.

/kuˈlɪsə/

🎭 What exactly is a Kulisse?

The word die Kulisse (feminine) has several meanings:

• In theatre or film: It refers to a movable part of the stage set, often made of painted canvas or wood, representing scenery (e.g., a wall, a tree, a landscape). By extension, it can also mean the entire set or decoration. Example: Die Schauspieler bewegten sich geschickt zwischen den Kulissen (The actors moved skillfully between the sets/wings).
• As a backdrop/setting: It describes the surroundings or background for an event or situation, often scenic. Example: Die Alpen boten eine beeindruckende Kulisse für die Wanderung (The Alps provided an impressive backdrop for the hike).
• Figuratively (often plural: hinter den Kulissen): Refers to what happens behind the scenes, away from the public eye or visible action. Example: Hinter den Kulissen wurden wichtige Entscheidungen getroffen (Important decisions were made behind the scenes).

⚠️ There is only the feminine article die for Kulisse.

Article rules for der, die, and das

🧐 Grammar & Declension of Kulisse

Die Kulisse is a feminine noun. Here is its declension:

Declension Singular

Declension Plural

Example Sentences ✍️

1. Die gemalte Kulisse stellte einen Wald dar. (The painted scenery represented a forest. - Nominative Singular, set piece)
2. Der Charme dieser alten Stadt bildet eine wunderbare Kulisse für den Film. (The charm of this old town forms a wonderful backdrop for the film. - Accusative Singular, backdrop)
3. Wir durften einen Blick hinter die Kulissen des Theaters werfen. (We were allowed to take a look behind the scenes of the theatre. - Accusative Plural, behind the scenes)
4. Der Wert der alten Kulisse war beträchtlich. (The value of the old set piece was considerable. - Genitive Singular, set piece)
5. Vor dieser historischen Kulisse fand das Konzert statt. (The concert took place against this historical backdrop. - Dative Singular, backdrop)

💡 How to use 'die Kulisse'?

Die Kulisse is used in various contexts:

• Theatre & Film: This is its original domain. You talk about Bühnenkulissen (stage sets), Filmkulissen (film sets), etc. "Die Kulissen müssen für die nächste Szene schnell umgebaut werden." (The sets must be changed quickly for the next scene.)
• Landscape & Surroundings: Used when a place serves as a particularly picturesque or fitting background. "Die Bergkulisse war atemberaubend." (The mountain scenery was breathtaking.)
• Figuratively / Politics / Business: The phrase "hinter den Kulissen" (behind the scenes) is very common and refers to secret arrangements or processes not visible to the public. "Hinter den Kulissen wurde bereits über den Nachfolger verhandelt." (Negotiations about the successor were already happening behind the scenes.)

Compared to Szenerie (scenery) or Hintergrund (background), Kulisse often emphasizes the artificial, constructed aspect (in theatre) or the impressive, framing quality (as surroundings). The expression hinter den Kulissen has a very specific figurative meaning.

🧠 Mnemonics for Kulisse

Article Mnemonic: Think of a stage scene: SHE (feminine -> die) is the star, standing in front of the beautiful Kulisse. Many feminine nouns end in -e.

Meaning Mnemonic: Imagine someone saying "That backdrop is *cool*, isn't it?" - *Cool is* sounds a bit like Kulisse. And *behind the scenes* (hinter den Kulissen) is where the *cool*, secret stuff happens.

🔄 Similar and Opposite Terms

Beware of Confusion: Don't mix it up with similar-sounding words in English or the rare/obsolete German spelling Kolisse.

😄 A Little Joke

Fragt der Regisseur den Bühnenarbeiter: "Ist die neue Wald-Kulisse schon fertig?"
Antwortet der Arbeiter: "Ja, Chef, aber die Bäume werfen einfach keinen Schatten! Da müssen wir wohl hinter den Kulissen noch ein paar Lampen aufstellen!"

Translation: The director asks the stagehand: "Is the new forest scenery finished yet?"
The stagehand replies: "Yes, boss, but the trees just don't cast any shadows! We'll probably have to set up some lights behind the scenes!"

📜 Poem about the Kulisse

Auf Brettern, die die Welt bedeuten,
steht sie gemalt, zu allen Zeiten.
Die Kulisse, schön und klar,
macht Szenen wunderbar.

Mal Burg, mal Wald, mal Meeresstrand,
erschaffen von geschickter Hand.
Doch auch im Leben, ungelogen,
wird hinter ihr oft viel verwogen.

Translation:
On boards that signify the world,
It stands painted, through times unfurled.
The scenery (die Kulisse), clear and bright,
Makes every scene a wondrous sight.

Now castle, forest, ocean strand,
Created by a skillful hand.
But also in life, it's truly told,
Behind it, much scheming may unfold.

🕵️‍♀️ What am I?

Ich steh' im Theater, oft bemalt und flach,
manchmal bin ich Berg, manchmal ein Dach.
Ich bilde den Hintergrund, bin Teil der Szene,
und hinter mir geschieht's oft ohne Bühne.

Was bin ich?

Translation:
I stand in the theatre, often painted and flat,
Sometimes I'm a mountain, sometimes a roof like that.
I form the background, I'm part of the scene,
And behind me, things often happen unseen.

What am I?

Answer: die Kulisse

🧩 Other Information

Etymology: The word "Kulisse" comes from the French word coulisse, which originally meant "groove" or "sliding track". This referred to the tracks or grooves in which the movable parts of the stage set were moved.

Interesting Fact: The German phrase "Kulissen schieben" (literally: to push scenery) can colloquially mean to exert influence secretly or to scheme, similar to "working behind the scenes".