das Kostüm
costume
A disguise or outfit worn for a specific occasion such as Carnival, a themed party, or a theater performance.
EXAMPLE
An Halloween tragen viele Kinder gruselige Kostüme.
On Halloween, many children wear scary costumes.
das Kostüm
costume / suit
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Meanings
das Kostüm
women's suit
A two-piece item of clothing for women, consisting of a jacket and a matching skirt or pair of trousers, often worn in a professional context.
EXAMPLE
Für das Vorstellungsgespräch hat sie sich ein elegantes Kostüm gekauft.
For the job interview, she bought an elegant women's suit.
das Kostüm
costume
The complete set of clothing and accessories that actors wear in a play, opera, or film in order to portray their role.
EXAMPLE
Die Kostüme in diesem historischen Film waren sehr aufwendig gestaltet.
The costumes in this historical film were very elaborately designed.
Usage tips
False friend
Unlike in English, where 'costume' usually means a disguise, 'das Kostüm' in German can also refer to an elegant trouser suit or a jacket-and-skirt ensemble for women. This meaning is common in business life.
EXAMPLE
Für das Bewerbungsgespräch hat sie ein neues Kostüm getragen.
For the job interview, she wore a new women's suit.
Context clue
The meaning of 'Kostüm' (costume/suit) depends strongly on the occasion. At parties (Carnival, Halloween), it is a costume. At work, it is a formal outfit for women. In theater or film, it is the actors' clothing.
EXAMPLE
Mein Sohn will zu Karneval ein Piraten-Kostüm.
My son wants a pirate costume for Carnival.
Typical occasions
When 'Kostüm' (costume) means a disguise, it is often used in connection with festivals such as 'Karneval' (Carnival), 'Fasching' (Carnival), or 'Halloween'.
EXAMPLE
Was für ein Kostüm ziehst du zur Faschingsparty an?
What kind of costume are you wearing to the Fasching party?
Job title
In a professional theater and film context, there is the job 'Kostümbildner/in' (costume designer). This person is responsible for the design and production of the costumes.
EXAMPLE
Die Kostümbildnerin hat für ihre Arbeit an dem Film einen Preis gewonnen.
The costume designer won an award for her work on the film.
Compare with
Kostüm vs Anzug
suit
Both words can refer to a formal combination of a jacket and a matching lower garment. Anzug mainly means the classic combination of a suit jacket and trousers, worn primarily by men; in a professional context, Kostüm usually refers to the corresponding clothing for women, with a skirt or trousers.
Kostüm
Die Frau trug zur Bewerbung ein dunkelblaues Kostüm mit passender Hose.
The woman wore a dark blue women's suit with matching trousers to the interview.
Anzug
Der Mann trug zur Bewerbung einen dunkelblauen Anzug mit passender Hose.
The man wore a dark blue suit with matching trousers to the interview.
In real life
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