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.
acting / theatrics
A derogatory term for fake, exaggerated, or theatrical behavior with which someone tries to deceive or impress others.
Hör auf mit der Schauspielerei, ich weiß genau, dass es dir nicht wirklich leidtut.
Stop with the theatrics; I know perfectly well that you're not really sorry.
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
When referring to exaggerated behavior, Theater emphasizes the commotion or dramatic scene. Schauspielerei, by contrast, highlights that someone is putting on a fake act to deceive or impress others. Schauspielerei is therefore more precise for deliberate pretense.
Als sie ihn nach seiner Reue fragte, durchschaute sie sofort seine Schauspielerei.
When she asked him about his remorse, she immediately saw through his act.
Als sie ihn kritisierte, machte er sofort ein großes Theater.
When she criticized him, he immediately made a big scene.
