description
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description / account
A detailed and vivid description or account of events, experiences, or impressions.
Seine eindrückliche Schilderung der Reise hat uns alle tief bewegt.
His impressive account of the trip deeply moved us all.
'Die Schilderung' (the description/account) is the noun related to the verb 'schildern' (to describe). The ending '-ung' turns the activity of describing (schildern) into the result (die Schilderung).
Er schilderte die Ereignisse des Abends.
He described the events of the evening.
The word comes from 'Schild' (shield/weapon). In the past, shields were painted. So 'schildern' originally meant 'to depict pictorially', from which the modern meaning 'to describe vividly' developed.
Die Autorin ist bekannt für ihre genauen Schilderungen von Landschaften.
The author is known for her precise descriptions of landscapes.
'Schilderung' (description/account) is often combined with adjectives that evaluate the quality of the description. Common ones are 'lebhafte' (vivid), 'eindrückliche' (impressive), 'detaillierte' (detailed), or 'persönliche' (personal) Schilderung.
Ihre lebhafte Schilderung des Festes machte uns neugierig.
Her vivid description of the festival made us curious.
To say what is being described, German usually uses the genitive or a prepositional construction with 'von' (of/about). The genitive is often more stylistically elegant.
Die Schilderung des Zeugen war entscheidend für den Prozess.
The witness's account was crucial for the trial.
report
A Bericht and a Schilderung can both recount an observed event. The Bericht presents the facts objectively, whereas the Schilderung describes what was experienced in detail and vividly, often including personal impressions. Use Bericht for information and Schilderung for a vivid description.
Der Polizist gab eine detaillierte Schilderung des Unfalls mit seinen persönlichen Eindrücken.
The police officer gave a detailed account of the accident, including his personal impressions.
Der Polizist schrieb einen sachlichen Bericht über den Unfall.
The police officer wrote an objective report on the accident.
