commemorative plaque
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commemorative plaque
A plaque made of stone or metal that is attached to a wall or building to commemorate an important person, a historical event, or a special place.
An seinem Geburtshaus wurde eine Gedenktafel für den berühmten Dichter enthüllt.
A commemorative plaque for the famous poet was unveiled on his birthplace.
The word is a compound of 'Gedenk-' (from the verb 'gedenken', meaning to remember/commemorate) and 'Tafel' (sign, plate/plaque). So it is literally a plaque for commemoration.
Die Stadt brachte eine Gedenktafel für die Opfer des Krieges an.
The city put up a commemorative plaque for the victims of the war.
Certain actions are associated with a commemorative plaque. Typical verbs are 'anbringen' (to attach to a wall), 'enthüllen' (to unveil/present ceremonially to the public), or 'anfertigen' (to make/produce).
Der Bürgermeister wird die Gedenktafel morgen feierlich enthüllen.
The mayor will ceremonially unveil the commemorative plaque tomorrow.
The preposition 'an' is central here. A commemorative plaque is located 'an' a building (dative). It 'erinnert an' a person or event (accusative).
An diesem Haus befindet sich eine Gedenktafel.
There is a commemorative plaque on this house.
board / bar / food bank
'Tafel' and 'Gedenktafel' can both be a plaque with an inscription. 'Tafel' is the more general term. It can provide information, show something, or commemorate something. A 'Gedenktafel' is more specific: it always commemorates an important person, an event, or a special place. So a commemorative plaque can be a kind of 'Tafel', but not every 'Tafel' is a 'Gedenktafel'. The confusion arises because both are often attached to walls or buildings.
Am Wochenende sehe ich mir die Gedenktafel für die alte Dichterin an.
At the weekend, I am going to look at the commemorative plaque for the old poet.
An der Tür hängt eine Tafel mit den Öffnungszeiten.
There is a sign with the opening hours on the door.