to portray
Loading your saved state.
to portray
To artistically depict a person through painting, drawing, photography, or sculpture. The result is a portrait.
Der berühmte Maler hat die Königin mehrfach porträtiert.
The famous painter portrayed the queen several times.
The verb 'porträtieren' (to portray) is derived directly from the noun 'das Porträt' (the portrait). The ending '-ieren' often signals verbs that were borrowed from foreign languages.
Sie ließ sich von einem bekannten Künstler porträtieren.
She had herself portrayed by a well-known artist.
'Porträtieren' (to portray) is a transitive verb and always needs an accusative object. You ask: Whom or what does someone portray?
Der Autor porträtiert in seinem neuen Roman eine ganze Generation.
In his new novel, the author portrays an entire generation.
The construction 'jemanden/etwas als ... porträtieren' (to portray someone/something as ...) is used frequently. It describes the manner or perspective of the depiction.
Der Film porträtiert den Wissenschaftler als einsames Genie.
The film portrays the scientist as a lonely genius.
When it is about films, books, or reports, the figurative meaning 'to characterize' is meant. When it is about painting or photography, the literal, artistic depiction is meant.
Diese Biografie porträtiert die Schauspielerin von einer ganz neuen Seite.
This biography portrays the actress from a completely new angle.
to describe
'beschreiben' and 'porträtieren' can both show what someone or something is like. 'beschreiben' is more general and usually means to explain something with words. You can describe people, places, objects, or situations. 'porträtieren' is used mainly for people, groups, or periods of time. It sounds more artistic or journalistic and means that a particular image of someone is shown, for example in a photo, film, or text. The words can be confused in texts about people. For a normal, precise explanation, 'beschreiben' fits; for a crafted portrayal of a person, 'porträtieren' is better.
Der Film porträtiert eine junge Ärztin, die in einem kleinen Dorf arbeitet.
The film portrays a young doctor who works in a small village.
Wir beschreiben im Bericht genau, wie der Unfall passiert ist.
In the report, we describe exactly how the accident happened.