scandal
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scandal
An incident that attracts public attention and often leads to a scandal. It is a striking, usually embarrassing or offensive event.
Der Rücktritt des Ministers nach der Affäre sorgte für einen politischen Eklat.
The minister's resignation after the affair caused a political scandal.
The word 'Eklat' (scandal) comes from French and belongs to elevated language. It is used especially in formal contexts such as politics or the media to describe a public scandal.
Die Rede des Abgeordneten führte im Parlament zu einem Eklat.
The representative's speech led to a scandal in parliament.
A very common phrase is 'es kam zu einem Eklat' (there was a scandal). This impersonal construction emphasizes that the scandal happened without directly naming a person who caused it.
Bei der Pressekonferenz kam es zu einem Eklat, als ein Journalist dem Sprecher Lügen vorwarf.
At the press conference, there was a scandal when a journalist accused the spokesperson of lying.
'Eklat' (scandal) is often used with certain verbs that describe how a scandal arises. Typical combinations are 'für einen Eklat sorgen' (to cause a scandal), 'einen Eklat auslösen' (to trigger a scandal), or 'einen Eklat provozieren' (to provoke a scandal).
Mit seinen provokanten Aussagen sorgte der Künstler für einen Eklat.
With his provocative statements, the artist caused a scandal.
performance / appearance
'der Auftritt' and 'der Eklat' can both refer to conspicuous behavior in public. 'der Auftritt' is broader: it can simply be a person’s dramatic or unpleasant behavior. 'der Eklat' sounds stronger and means an incident that attracts a lot of public attention and often feels like a small scandal. If someone is just behaving conspicuously, 'Auftritt' fits better. If the matter is embarrassing, offensive, and visible to many people, 'Eklat' is more precise.
Der Eklat im Stadtrat stand am nächsten Tag in der Zeitung.
The scandal in the city council was in the newspaper the next day.
Sein lauter Auftritt im Restaurant war allen Gästen unangenehm.
His loud scene in the restaurant made all the guests uncomfortable.