gravestone
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gravestone
A worked stone placed on a grave, usually bearing the name and dates of the deceased person.
Auf dem alten Grabstein war die Inschrift kaum noch zu entziffern.
The inscription on the old gravestone was barely decipherable anymore.
The word is a simple compound made up of 'das Grab' (grave) and 'der Stein' (stone). So it literally means 'a stone on a grave'.
Der Friedhof war voll mit alten, bemoosten Grabsteinen.
The cemetery was full of old, moss-covered gravestones.
Common verbs are 'einen Grabstein aufstellen' (to put up a gravestone) or 'errichten' (to erect). People also often speak of the 'Inschrift auf dem Grabstein' (inscription on the gravestone).
Die Familie hat einen schlichten Grabstein für die Verstorbene aufstellen lassen.
The family had a simple gravestone put up for the deceased woman.
To describe what is written on the stone, you use the construction 'Auf dem Grabstein steht/standen ...' (On the gravestone it says/said ...).
Auf dem Grabstein standen nur der Name und die Jahreszahlen.
On the gravestone were only the name and the years.
tomb
'der Grabstein' and 'das Grabmal' both stand at or over a grave and commemorate deceased people. 'Grabstein' usually means a single worked stone with a name and dates. This is the normal term for many graves in a cemetery. 'Grabmal' sounds larger and more elaborate. It can be a real structure or an artistic monument. The words can be confused because a gravestone can be a kind of 'Grabmal'. But if it is about a simple grave in a cemetery, 'Grabstein' sounds more natural. For large or specially designed structures, 'Grabmal' fits better.
Auf dem Grabstein standen der Name und die Lebensdaten der Großmutter.
The grandmother's name and dates were written on the gravestone.
Das alte Grabmal der Familie ist mit Figuren und Säulen geschmückt.
The family's old tomb is decorated with figures and columns.