acting
Loading your saved state.
acting
The art or profession of acting; the activity of portraying roles on a stage, in films, or on television.
Sie hat ihre Leidenschaft für die Schauspielerei schon in der Schultheatergruppe entdeckt.
She discovered her passion for acting while she was in the school theater group.
The ending '-erei' often refers to an activity, as here to the profession of acting. Sometimes the ending also has a slightly derogatory or colloquial tone, which explains the second meaning of the word: fake behavior.
Nach jahrelanger Schauspielerei auf der Bühne wechselte er zum Film.
After years of acting on stage, he switched to film.
You can recognize the meaning from the context. If it is about art, theater, or a profession, the professional activity is meant. In personal conflicts or accusations, it usually means fake, theatrical behavior.
Er widmete sein ganzes Leben der Schauspielerei.
He devoted his entire life to acting.
In the context of the profession, 'Schauspielerei' is often combined with verbs that describe a passion or career. Typical phrases are: 'sich der Schauspielerei widmen' (to devote oneself to acting), 'die Schauspielerei aufgeben' (to give up acting), or 'eine Leidenschaft für die Schauspielerei haben' (to have a passion for acting).
Schon als Kind hatte sie eine große Leidenschaft für die Schauspielerei.
Even as a child, she had a great passion for acting.
In this meaning, the word is always negative or derogatory. It is used to criticize a person's behavior as dishonest and exaggerated.
Hör endlich mit dieser Schauspielerei auf und sag die Wahrheit!
Stop with these theatrics already and tell the truth!
theater
'das Theater' and 'die Schauspielerei' are both connected to roles, the stage, and performing. 'Theater' can mean the art form or also exaggerated behavior. 'Schauspielerei' more often means the activity or profession of acting. Used negatively, it can also mean that someone is only pretending and does not seem sincere. Learners may confuse the words because both appear in real theater and also figuratively for fake behavior. For the art form in general, people often say 'Theater'; for a person's activity, 'Schauspielerei' is more likely.
Nach der Schule möchte Tom Schauspielerei studieren.
After school, Tom wants to study acting.
Heute spricht die Klasse über modernes Theater.
Today the class is talking about modern theater.