play / spectacle
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play
A play or similar artistic performance that is performed on a stage in front of an audience.
Wir haben uns gestern Abend ein modernes Schauspiel im Stadttheater angesehen.
Yesterday evening we watched a modern play at the municipal theater.
The word 'Schauspiel' is made up of 'schauen' (to look/watch) and 'Spiel' (play). So it literally describes a play that you watch.
Im Zentrum des Stücks stand ein faszinierendes Schauspiel von Licht und Schatten.
At the center of the piece was a fascinating spectacle of light and shadow.
'Schauspiel' belongs to a word family connected with theater. A person who performs in a 'Schauspiel' (play) is a 'Schauspieler' (actor) or a 'Schauspielerin' (actress).
Er ist ein bekannter Schauspieler und hat schon in vielen Schauspielen mitgewirkt.
He is a well-known actor and has performed in many plays.
You can recognize the meaning from the context: In connection with 'Theater' (theater) or 'Bühne' (stage), it means a play. In connection with 'Natur' (nature), it means a sight or spectacle. In the expression 'ein Schauspiel veranstalten' (to make a scene), it refers to exaggerated behavior.
Das Schauspiel auf der Bühne war beeindruckend.
The play on the stage was impressive.
When referring to an impressive sight, 'Schauspiel' is often combined with natural phenomena. Typical expressions are 'Naturschauspiel' (natural spectacle), 'ein Schauspiel der Farben' (a spectacle of colors), or 'ein seltenes Schauspiel' (a rare spectacle).
Die Polarlichter waren ein unglaubliches Naturschauspiel.
The northern lights were an incredible natural spectacle.
The negative meaning of theatrical behavior is almost always used with the verbs 'veranstalten' (to put on/cause), 'aufführen' (to put on/perform), or 'machen' (to make/do). The most common fixed expression is 'ein Schauspiel veranstalten' (to make a scene).
Als ihr Wunsch nicht erfüllt wurde, veranstaltete sie ein lautes Schauspiel.
When her wish was not granted, she made a loud scene.
piece
'das Stück' and 'das Schauspiel' can both refer to a work for the stage. In this sense, 'Stück' is the shorter and very common form for a play. 'Schauspiel' sounds more precise when it is about a performance with actors, and often a bit more formal. The words can be confusing because both fit in a theater context. But 'Stück' is broader: it can also mean a part, a piece of music, or an item of goods. 'Schauspiel' can also mean an impressive sight or exaggerated behavior. In everyday speech, people often simply say 'ein Stück' when talking about theater.
Das Schauspiel hat uns besonders gefallen, weil die Hauptrolle sehr stark gespielt wurde.
We especially liked the play because the lead role was performed very powerfully.
Unsere Klasse sieht morgen ein Stück im Stadttheater.
Our class is going to see a play at the municipal theater tomorrow.