A group of related objects that form a complete set, for example with furniture, clothing, or dishes.
example
Sie hat sich eine neue Garnitur aus Sofa und zwei Sesseln für das Wohnzimmer gekauft.
She bought a new set consisting of a sofa and two armchairs for the living room.
Usage tips
Construction with 'aus'
To describe what a 'Garnitur' (set/garnish) consists of, the preposition 'aus' (from/of) followed by the dative is often used. For example: 'eine Garnitur aus Sofa und Sesseln' (a set consisting of a sofa and armchairs).
EXAMPLE
Ich suche eine Garnitur aus einer passenden Mütze und einem Schal.
I'm looking for a set consisting of a matching hat and scarf.
Context: furniture
'Garnitur' (set) especially often refers to a set of matching furniture. Typical compounds are 'Sitzgarnitur' (seating set), 'Polstergarnitur' (upholstered furniture set), or 'Wohnzimmergarnitur' (living room set).
EXAMPLE
Die alte Polstergarnitur wurde durch ein modernes Sofa ersetzt.
The old upholstered furniture set was replaced by a modern sofa.
Context: gastronomy
On menus or in recipes, 'Garnitur' (garnish/accompaniments) refers to the side dishes and decoration of a dish. It is a term from chefs' technical language.
EXAMPLE
Als Garnitur für den Fisch wählte der Koch frische Kräuter und Zitronenscheiben.
For the fish garnish, the chef chose fresh herbs and lemon slices.
Context: accessories
This meaning refers to smaller sets of accessories or tools for a specific purpose. Common examples are 'Nähgarnitur' (sewing kit), 'Schreibgarnitur' (writing set), or 'Maniküre-Garnitur' (manicure set).
EXAMPLE
Im Hotelzimmer lag eine kleine Nähgarnitur für Notfälle bereit.
There was a small sewing kit ready in the hotel room for emergencies.
Compare with
near_synonym · confusable
Garnitur vs Satz
sentence / set
'der Satz' and 'die Garnitur' can both mean a group of things that belong together. 'der Satz' is very general and fits many objects, for example tools, tires, or dishes. 'die Garnitur' more often means a complete, matching set, often with furniture, clothing, dishes, or accessories. The word sounds a bit more specific and puts more emphasis on the parts forming a whole together. Learners may confuse the words because both describe a set. As a simple guide: 'Satz' is broader, while 'Garnitur' sounds more like matching equipment or a complete set.
Garnitur
Wegen des Besuchs hat Maria die schöne Geschirr-Garnitur aus dem Schrank geholt.
Because of the visitors, Maria took the beautiful dish set out of the cupboard.
Satz
Mein Nachbar kauft heute einen neuen Satz Schraubenzieher.
My neighbor is buying a new set of screwdrivers today.