clothing / covering
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clothing
A general, somewhat more formal term for all types of clothes that people wear on their bodies.
Das Kaufhaus bietet eine große Auswahl an Bekleidung für Damen, Herren und Kinder.
The department store offers a large selection of clothing for women, men, and children.
covering / cladding
In a technical or craft context, an outer layer that covers or clads something in order to protect or decorate it.
Die Bekleidung der Fassade besteht aus wetterfesten Holzpaneelen.
The cladding of the facade consists of weather-resistant wooden panels.
'Bekleidung' (clothing/covering) is derived from the verb 'bekleiden' (to clothe/to cover), which means 'etwas bedecken' (to cover something). The ending '-ung' turns it into a noun. This origin explains both meanings: covering a body with clothes and covering a surface with material.
Die richtige Bekleidung ist beim Wandern im Gebirge sehr wichtig.
The right clothing is very important when hiking in the mountains.
'Bekleidung' (clothing) is a somewhat more formal and more general term than the everyday word 'Kleidung' (clothes/clothing). You often find it in shops, in advertising, or in official descriptions.
Unser Sortiment umfasst hochwertige Bekleidung für jede Jahreszeit.
Our range includes high-quality clothing for every season.
'Bekleidung' (clothing) is a collective noun. Even when talking about many different items of clothing, the word is almost always used in the singular.
Bitte geben Sie Ihre Mäntel und sonstige Bekleidung an der Garderobe ab.
Please leave your coats and other clothing at the cloakroom.
You can recognize the second meaning in a technical or craft context. Here it always refers to a protective or decorative covering for an object, for example a house wall or a machine.
Die innere Bekleidung des Tunnels besteht aus feuerfesten Platten.
The inner lining of the tunnel consists of fire-resistant panels.
clothing
Both words refer to all the things people wear on their bodies. „Kleidung“ is the neutral, everyday term, while „Bekleidung“ sounds somewhat more formal, factual, or commercial. „Kleidung“ is usually appropriate in personal conversation; „Bekleidung“ may be more suitable in a catalog or factual description.
Für den Urlaub bietet der Katalog funktionale Bekleidung an.
The catalog offers functional clothing for the vacation.
Für den Urlaub kaufe ich bequeme Kleidung.
I am buying comfortable clothes for the vacation.
