showpiece / signboard
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showpiece
A person or thing that is considered the best example or representative of a group, company, or country and shows its positive qualities.
Die Pünktlichkeit der Züge gilt als Aushängeschild der Schweizer Bahnen.
The punctuality of the trains is considered a showpiece of the Swiss railways.
signboard
A sign attached to the outside of a shop, workshop, or inn to identify it.
Über dem Eingang der alten Bäckerei hing noch das schmiedeeiserne Aushängeschild mit einer Brezel.
Above the entrance of the old bakery, the wrought-iron signboard with a pretzel was still hanging.
The word is made up of the verb 'aushängen' (to hang out / display) and the noun 'Schild' (sign). Literally, it describes a sign that hangs outside to represent a business. This idea of representation is transferred to the figurative meaning.
Das alte Aushängeschild aus Metall quietschte im Wind.
The old metal signboard creaked in the wind.
In the figurative meaning, the structure 'das Aushängeschild für/von etwas sein' (to be the showpiece for/of something) is often used. The preposition 'für' (for) or the genitive indicates what the person or thing is representative of.
Der Eiffelturm ist das Aushängeschild von Paris.
The Eiffel Tower is the showpiece of Paris.
The literal meaning, a real sign, is less common today. Most of the time, the figurative meaning is intended, where a person, product, or quality serves as a symbol for an entire group or company.
Die Zuverlässigkeit unserer Produkte ist unser wichtigstes Aushängeschild.
The reliability of our products is our most important showpiece.
role model / model
A Vorbild is a person whose behavior or achievements others are meant to imitate. An Aushängeschild, by contrast, mainly represents a group or company and presents it in a particularly positive light to the outside world. For a person, use Vorbild when imitation is important, and Aushängeschild when the representative effect is what matters.
Die erfahrene Torhüterin ist das Aushängeschild des Vereins und vertritt ihn bei öffentlichen Terminen.
The experienced goalkeeper is the club's showpiece and represents it at public events.
Für viele junge Spieler ist die erfahrene Torhüterin ein Vorbild, weil sie ihre Disziplin nachahmen möchten.
For many young players, the experienced goalkeeper is a role model because they want to imitate her discipline.
