malerisch
picturesque
So beautiful, idyllic, or charming that it looks like a painting.
EXAMPLE
Wir machten Urlaub in einem malerischen Fischerdorf an der Küste.
We went on vacation in a picturesque fishing village on the coast.
malerisch
picturesque / painterly
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Meanings
malerisch
painterly
Relating to the art of painting or done in the manner of a painter.
EXAMPLE
Sie hat ein großes malerisches Talent und ihre Bilder sind sehr ausdrucksstark.
She has great painterly talent, and her paintings are very expressive.
Usage tips
Word family
The adjective 'malerisch' (picturesque/painterly) is derived from 'der Maler' (the painter). This connection explains both meanings: something is either beautiful as if painted by a painter, or it relates to the painter's art itself.
EXAMPLE
Die Küste hier ist wirklich malerisch.
The coast here is truly picturesque.
Context clue
The noun that 'malerisch' describes reveals the meaning. If it describes a place (village, landscape, alley), it means 'idyllisch' (idyllic/picturesque). If it describes an ability or a work (talent, technique, depiction), it relates to art.
EXAMPLE
Wir saßen in einem Café an einem malerischen Platz.
We sat in a café on a picturesque square.
Typical collocations
In the meaning 'idyllisch' (idyllic/picturesque), 'malerisch' almost always describes places. Typical nouns are 'Landschaft' (landscape), 'Dorf' (village), 'Altstadt' (old town), 'Gasse' (alley), or 'Kulisse' (backdrop).
EXAMPLE
Die Wanderung führte uns durch eine malerische Landschaft.
The hike led us through a picturesque landscape.
Compare with
malerisch vs künstlerisch
artistic
Both adjectives can describe a successful painting. „Künstlerisch“ evaluates the creative design in general, while „malerisch“ specifically refers to painting or to something executed in the manner of a painter. For a picture, „künstlerisch“ suits the artistic achievement, while „malerisch“ suits the painterly effect or technique.
malerisch
Das malerische Bild zeigt den See mit weichen Farben und warmem Licht.
The image has a painterly quality, showing the lake in soft colors and warm light.
künstlerisch
Das künstlerische Bild drückt die Gefühle der Malerin sehr eindrucksvoll aus.
The artistic painting expresses the painter's feelings very powerfully.
In real life
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