kitsch
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kitsch
Art or objects that are perceived as tasteless because they are overly sentimental, garish, or designed for cheap effect. Kitsch is often regarded as aesthetically inferior.
Ihre Wohnung ist voller Porzellanfiguren und glitzernder Bilder – für mich ist das reiner Kitsch.
Her apartment is full of porcelain figurines and glittery pictures — to me, that's pure kitsch.
The word 'Kitsch' (kitsch) is an uncountable noun, similar to 'Musik' (music) or 'Glück' (luck/happiness). It is almost always used in the singular to describe the concept as a whole.
Für mich ist das alles nur Kitsch.
To me, all of that is just kitsch.
The very common adjective 'kitschig' (kitschy) is derived from the noun 'der Kitsch' (kitsch). It is used to describe objects or situations as tasteless or overly sentimental.
Ich finde den Film ein bisschen zu kitschig.
I find the film a bit too kitschy.
'Kitsch' (kitsch) is often combined with adjectives that emphasize its intensity, such as 'reiner Kitsch' (pure kitsch) or 'purer Kitsch' (pure kitsch). Common verbs are 'etwas als Kitsch empfinden' (to perceive something as kitsch) or 'etwas als Kitsch bezeichnen' (to describe something as kitsch).
Viele Leute empfinden Gartenzwerge als reinen Kitsch.
Many people perceive garden gnomes as pure kitsch.
lard / schmaltz
When referring critically to an overly sentimental film, Kitsch and Schmalz can both be used disparagingly. Kitsch focuses more on the overall design being tasteless or seeming fake. Schmalz emphasizes the exaggerated sentimentality in particular.
Die grellen Bilder und unechten Gefühle machen den Liebesfilm für sie zu Kitsch.
The garish images and fake emotions make the romance film kitsch in her eyes.
Die übertriebenen Liebeserklärungen machen den Liebesfilm für sie zu purem Schmalz.
The exaggerated declarations of love make the romance film pure schmaltz in her eyes.
