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die Fassade
facade
The outer wall of a building, especially the show-facing side toward the street.
example
Die Fassade des alten Schlosses wird aufwendig restauriert.
The facade of the old castle is being restored at great expense.
die Fassade
facade
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Meanings
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Usage tips
Metaphorical meaning
The figurative meaning of 'Fassade' (facade) as an outward appearance comes directly from the architectural meaning. Just as the wall of a house hides the inside of a building, a person can put up a 'Fassade' (facade) to hide their true feelings.
EXAMPLE
Er lächelte, aber es war klar, dass das nur Fassade war.
He smiled, but it was clear that it was only a facade.
Fixed expression
The expression 'hinter die Fassade blicken' (to look behind the facade) is very common. It can literally mean seeing the inside of a building, but it is usually used metaphorically to recognize the true nature of a person or situation.
EXAMPLE
Nur wenige Freunde durften bei ihr hinter die Fassade blicken.
Only a few friends were allowed to look behind her facade.
Typical verbs
In the figurative sense, 'Fassade' (facade) is often used with verbs that express an effort. Typical phrases are 'die Fassade wahren' (to maintain the facade) or 'die Fassade aufrechterhalten' (to keep up the facade), meaning to preserve appearances.
EXAMPLE
Trotz der Probleme versuchte sie, die Fassade einer perfekten Familie aufrechtzuerhalten.
Despite the problems, she tried to keep up the facade of a perfect family.
Compare with
Fassade vs Front
front
'die Front' and 'die Fassade' can both mean the front exterior of a building. 'Fassade' is used especially for buildings and usually means the visible wall facing the street. 'Front' is more general for the front side of things, for example also of a car or a device. Learners may confuse the words when talking about a house. With buildings, 'Fassade' often sounds more precise when you mean the outside wall and its appearance.
Fassade
Im Sommer wird die Fassade des Rathauses neu gestrichen.
In summer, the facade of the town hall will be repainted.
Front
Die Front des alten Hauses zeigt direkt zur Hauptstraße.
The front of the old house faces directly onto the main street.
In real life
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