monument / landmark
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monument
A structure, statue, or memorial plaque erected for public remembrance of an important person or historical event.
Vor dem Rathaus steht ein Denkmal zu Ehren des Stadtgründers.
In front of the town hall stands a monument in honor of the city's founder.
The word 'Denkmal' is made up of 'denken' (to think) and 'das Mal' (mark/sign). So it is literally a 'sign for thinking' or a marker of remembrance.
Jedes Denkmal soll uns an etwas Wichtiges erinnern.
Every monument is meant to remind us of something important.
In connection with monuments, the verbs 'errichten' (to erect), 'enthüllen' (to unveil), or 'einweihen' (to inaugurate) are often used.
Die Stadt hat ein neues Denkmal für die Opfer des Krieges errichtet.
The city erected a new monument for the victims of the war.
When a building or site has historical value, it is often 'unter Denkmalschutz' (under monument protection / listed as a historic monument). This expression means that it is legally protected.
Die alte Mühle steht seit 1980 unter Denkmalschutz.
The old mill has been listed as a historic monument since 1980.
The idiom 'sich ein Denkmal setzen' (to create a lasting legacy for oneself) uses a dative reflexive pronoun ('sich'). The person who accomplishes something special is the subject of the sentence.
Mit dieser Erfindung hat sich der Wissenschaftler ein Denkmal gesetzt.
With this invention, the scientist created a lasting legacy for himself.
time / mark
'das Mal' and 'das Denkmal' can both mean something that commemorates a person or an event. In this meaning, however, 'das Mal' is rare, formal, or outdated. In normal German, people almost always say 'das Denkmal' when they mean a statue, a structure, or a commemorative plaque. The words can be confusing because 'Denkmal' contains the word 'Mal'. For learners, the important point is: for public remembrance, 'Denkmal' is the natural word; 'Mal' is hardly ever heard on its own in this meaning.
Nach der Stadtführung besuchte Herr Müller noch das Denkmal am Marktplatz.
After the city tour, Mr. Müller also visited the monument in the marketplace.
Das alte Mal auf dem Hügel erinnert an eine Schlacht aus früherer Zeit.
The old memorial on the hill commemorates a battle from long ago.