stencil / template
Loading your saved state.
stencil / template
A template made of cardboard, plastic, or metal with cut-out shapes, used to transfer these shapes repeatedly and precisely onto another surface, for example by painting or drawing.
Mit einer Schablone sprühte sie Buchstaben auf das Schild.
She sprayed letters onto the sign with a stencil.
template / pattern
In a figurative sense, a rigid, always identical pattern or scheme for thoughts, actions, or judgments.
Seine Reden folgen immer der gleichen Schablone und bieten keine neuen Ideen.
His speeches always follow the same template and offer no new ideas.
You can recognize the meaning from the context: if it is about a concrete manual activity (painting, spraying, crafting), the literal template is meant. If people are talking about abstract action, thinking, or speech, the figurative pattern is meant.
Er malte die Sterne mit einer Schablone an die Decke.
He painted the stars on the ceiling with a stencil.
In the literal meaning, 'Schablone' (stencil/template) is almost always used with the preposition 'mit' (with) to describe the tool being used.
Mit einer Schablone kannst du das Muster ganz einfach auf den Stoff übertragen.
With a stencil, you can transfer the pattern onto the fabric very easily.
The adjective 'schablonenhaft' (formulaic/stereotyped) is derived from the figurative meaning. It describes something that is uncreative, stereotypical, or always follows the same pattern.
Die Charaktere im Film waren leider sehr schablonenhaft und ohne Tiefe.
Unfortunately, the characters in the film were very formulaic and lacked depth.
In the figurative meaning, 'Schablone' (template/pattern) is often used with the preposition 'nach' (according to/by). The phrase 'nach der gleichen Schablone' (according to the same template) expresses that something happens in a recurring, unoriginal way.
Der Politiker beantwortete alle Fragen nach der gleichen Schablone.
The politician answered all the questions according to the same template.
template / assist
Both words can refer to a basis for creating something repeatedly. A „Vorlage“ is usually a model or example that serves as a guide. A „Schablone“, by contrast, is a specific tool with cut-out shapes that is used directly to transfer them.
Für jedes Plakat legte ich dieselbe Schablone auf das Papier und malte die Sterne aus.
For each poster, I placed the same stencil on the paper and painted in the stars.
Für das Plakat nahm ich die Zeichnung des Künstlers als Vorlage und malte sie neu.
For the poster, I used the artist’s drawing as a template and painted it again.
