mascot
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mascot
A figure, animal, or person that serves as a good-luck charm for a group, especially for a sports team or a company.
Das Maskottchen des Fußballvereins ist ein Bär namens Herthinho.
The football club's mascot is a bear named Herthinho.
'Maskottchen' (mascot) is a loanword from French ('mascotte'). The German ending '-chen' is a diminutive form and makes the word take the neuter article 'das'.
Jeder Verein hat ein eigenes kleines Maskottchen.
Every club has its own little mascot.
A mascot is often connected with a group. Typical phrases are 'das Maskottchen eines Vereins' (the mascot of a club), 'das Maskottchen einer Firma' (the mascot of a company), or 'als Maskottchen dienen' (to serve as a mascot).
Der Eisbär ist das offizielle Maskottchen des Zoos.
The polar bear is the zoo's official mascot.
To express belonging, German usually uses the genitive or the preposition 'von' (of/from). Both forms are correct and common.
Das ist das Maskottchen der deutschen Nationalmannschaft.
That is the mascot of the German national team.
showpiece / signboard
'Maskottchen' and 'Aushängeschild' can both represent a group, club, or company to the outside world. But the focus is different. A 'Maskottchen' is a figure, animal, or sometimes a person meant to bring luck and create sympathy, especially in sports or at events. An 'Aushängeschild' is the person or thing that is seen as a particularly good example and shows a good reputation. The words can be confused because both represent something. 'Maskottchen' fits more with atmosphere, luck, and recognizability; 'Aushängeschild' fits more with quality, success, and a good image.
Vor dem Spiel läuft das Maskottchen des Vereins über den Platz und winkt den Kindern.
Before the game, the club's mascot runs across the field and waves to the children.
Die neue Bibliothek ist ein Aushängeschild der Stadt, weil sie modern und sehr beliebt ist.
The new library is a showpiece for the city because it is modern and very popular.