der Schatten
shadow
A dark area that is created when an object blocks the light.
EXAMPLE
An dem heißen Sommertag saßen wir im Schatten eines großen Baumes.
On the hot summer day, we sat in the shadow of a large tree.
der Schatten
shadow
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Meanings
der Schatten
shadow
A negative, often threatening or sad aspect that accompanies or affects something positive.
EXAMPLE
Der Betrugsskandal warf einen dunklen Schatten auf seine sonst so erfolgreiche Karriere.
The fraud scandal cast a dark shadow over his otherwise very successful career.
in den Schatten stellen
to outshine
To be clearly better, more impressive, or more successful than someone or something else.
EXAMPLE
Mit ihrer beeindruckenden Leistung hat die junge Athletin alle ihre Konkurrentinnen in den Schatten gestellt.
With her impressive performance, the young athlete outshone all her competitors.
über seinen Schatten springen
to overcome oneself
To overcome one's own doubts, fears, or pride in order to do something that is difficult for one.
EXAMPLE
Er musste über seinen Schatten springen und sich für seinen Fehler entschuldigen.
He had to overcome himself and apologize for his mistake.
der Schatten
shadow
A person who follows another person discreetly and constantly, for example a detective or a bodyguard.
EXAMPLE
Der Privatdetektiv wurde für eine Woche zum Schatten des Verdächtigen.
The private detective became the suspect's shadow for a week.
Usage tips
Context clues
The literal meaning of 'Schatten' (shadow) refers to the absence of light. All other meanings are metaphorical and are usually part of fixed idioms that you should learn as a whole.
EXAMPLE
Die Katze schläft im Schatten unter dem Auto.
The cat is sleeping in the shadow under the car.
Prepositions and case
Pay attention to the case after the preposition 'in'. 'Im Schatten' (in the shadow; dative) describes a location, while 'in den Schatten' (into the shadow; accusative) describes movement.
EXAMPLE
Wir sitzen im Schatten.
We are sitting in the shadow.
Fixed expression
The metaphorical meaning of a negative aspect is almost always expressed with the verb 'werfen' (to cast/throw): 'einen Schatten auf etwas (Akkusativ) werfen' (to cast a shadow over something).
EXAMPLE
Der Skandal warf einen langen Schatten auf die Firma.
The scandal cast a long shadow over the company.
Fixed expression
The idiom 'jemanden/etwas in den Schatten stellen' (to put someone/something in the shadow; to outshine someone/something) is a fixed structure. It means that someone or something is much better.
EXAMPLE
Mit seinem neuen Rekord hat er alle anderen Läufer in den Schatten gestellt.
With his new record, he outshone all the other runners.
Fixed expression
The idiom 'über seinen Schatten springen' (to jump over one's shadow) means to overcome one's own fear or pride. The possessive pronoun ('seinen') changes according to the person.
EXAMPLE
Ich musste über meinen Schatten springen und mich entschuldigen.
I had to overcome myself and apologize.
Compare with
Schatten vs Nachteil
disadvantage
Schatten and Nachteil can both describe a negative side of something positive. A Nachteil is more likely to be a specific unfavorable effect, while a Schatten emphasizes the troubling or gloomy effect on the whole. Nachteil fits an objective evaluation, while Schatten fits a distressing accompanying effect.
Schatten
Der große Erfolg hatte den Schatten, dass die Familie kaum noch gemeinsame Zeit hatte.
The great success cast a shadow in that the family barely had any time together anymore.
Nachteil
Der große Erfolg hatte den Nachteil, dass die Familie kaum noch gemeinsame Zeit hatte.
The great success had the disadvantage that the family barely had any time together anymore.
In real life
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