die  Restauration

B2

Estimated CEFR level.

/ʁɛstauʁaˈt͡si̯oːn/

📜 What does "die Restauration" actually mean?

The German word die Restauration (feminine) has several meanings:

• Historical Period (Restoration): Refers to the re-establishment of previous political or social conditions, especially after revolutions. A well-known example is the Restauration in Europe after Napoleon.
• Restoration (Art/Buildings): The process of restoring or repairing works of art, buildings, or other objects to their original or a former state. 🏛️🎨
• Restaurant (dated/upscale): A synonym for Restaurant or Gaststätte (pub/restaurant), often used in a somewhat more upscale or traditional context. 🍽️🍷

🚨 Attention: The meaning is usually clear from the context. In historical texts, it refers to the era; in art guides, to the restoration of objects; and in older language or on signs, sometimes to an eatery.

🧐 Grammar of "die Restauration"

The noun "Restauration" is feminine. Here is the declension in the singular. The plural "die Restaurationen" is used less frequently, mostly for multiple restaurants or several restoration processes.

📝 Example Sentences

1. (Historical) Die Zeit der Restauration folgte auf die napoleonischen Kriege.
   (The period of the Restoration followed the Napoleonic Wars.)
2. (Art/Building) Die Restauration des alten Schlosses dauerte mehrere Jahre.
   (The restoration of the old castle took several years.)
3. (Restaurant) Wir trafen uns in einer gemütlichen Restauration am Marktplatz.
   (We met in a cozy restaurant on the market square.)

🗣️ How to use "Restauration"?

The usage of die Restauration strongly depends on the context:

• Historical Context: Here, the term is clearly defined as the era of restoring monarchical rule. One speaks of "der Zeit der Restauration" (the time of the Restoration).
• Art & Architecture: Refers to the technical process. One speaks of "der Restauration eines Gemäldes" (the restoration of a painting) or "einer aufwendigen Restauration" (a complex restoration). Synonyms like Wiederherstellung (restoration) or Instandsetzung (repair) are common.
• Gastronomy: This meaning is rather rare today or sounds upscale/dated. More common are Restaurant or Gaststätte. You might still find it on old signs or in literary texts. It sounds more formal than Kneipe (pub) or Lokal (local eatery/bar).

Compared to Wiederherstellung, Restauration is often more specific to political eras or artistic/craft processes. Compared to Restaurant, Restauration is less colloquial.

💡 Mnemonics for "Restauration"

Article Mnemonic: Many nouns ending in -ion in German are feminine (die Aktion, die Nation, die Station...). The same applies here: die Restauration. Imagine a queen (female!) being 'restored' to her throne.

Meaning Mnemonic: Think of the English word "restore". What can you restore?
1. Old political orders (historical Restauration).
2. Old artworks/buildings (art/building Restauration).
3. The hunger and thirst of guests in a... Restaurant (formerly also called a Restauration).

🔄 Synonyms & Antonyms

⚠️ Similar sounding words: Don't confuse with "Restaurator" (the person who restores) or the verb "restaurieren" (to restore).

😄 A little joke

Fragt der Lehrer: "Wer kann mir etwas über die Zeit der Restauration erzählen?"
Meldet sich Fritzchen: "Klar! Da wurden die alten Könige wieder aufgemöbelt – quasi eine politische Möbel-Restauration!"

Teacher asks: "Who can tell me something about the Restoration period?"
Little Fritz raises his hand: "Sure! That's when the old kings were refurbished – basically a political furniture restoration!"

✍️ Poem about Restauration

Die Zeit, sie dreht sich manchmal rückwärts schnell,
Nennt's Restauration, politisch, hell.
Der alte Glanz soll wieder strahlen klar,
Was einst vergangen, wird erneut nun wahr.

Auch Kunst und Stein, vom Zahn der Zeit benagt,
Erfahren Rettung, wenn's die Hand nur wagt.
Mit Pinsel, Kitt und viel Geduld,
Geschieht die Restauration, zahlt alte Schuld.

Und ist der Magen leer, der Durst gar groß,
Man sucht vielleicht, ganz ohne Stoß,
Ein Haus, wo Speis und Trank bereit,
'ne Restauration vergang'ner Zeit.

(Time sometimes turns swiftly back, they say,
Calls it Restauration, in politics' bright ray.
The ancient gleam shall shine clearly anew,
What once was gone, again becomes true.

Art too, and stone, by time's sharp tooth decayed,
Find rescue, if the hand is unafraid.
With brush, with putty, patience plays its part,
The Restauration mends a broken heart (of art).

And if the stomach's empty, thirst is vast,
One might seek out, a gentle repast,
A house where food and drink await,
A Restauration from a bygone date.)

❓ Little Riddle

Ich bringe Altes oft zurück,
Mal Stück für Stück, mal mit Geschick.
Bin Epoche, Handwerk, manchmal auch ein Haus,
Wo man genießt 'nen edlen Schmaus.

Wer bin ich? (Lösung: die Restauration)

(I often bring back what is old,
Sometimes piece by piece, skillfully bold.
I'm an era, a craft, sometimes a place to dine,
Where one enjoys a feast divine.

What am I?
Solution: die Restauration)

🌐 Other Information

Word Origin: The word "Restauration" comes from the French verb restaurer, meaning "to restore". This, in turn, derives from the Latin restaurare.

Cultural References:

• (DE) Die bekannteste historische Restauration ist die nach dem Wiener Kongress 1815 in Europa.
  (EN) The best-known historical Restoration is the one following the Congress of Vienna in 1815 in Europe.
• (DE) Der Begriff wird oft im Zusammenhang mit der Denkmalpflege verwendet.
  (EN) The term is often used in the context of the preservation of historical monuments.