veil
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veil
A piece of thin, often transparent fabric, usually worn by women to cover the face or as part of a headdress, such as by a bride.
Die Braut trug ein langes weißes Kleid und einen Schleier vor dem Gesicht.
The bride wore a long white dress and a veil over her face.
veil
Something that obscures the view, hides something, or makes it unclear. This is often used in a figurative sense.
Über der ganzen Affäre lag ein Schleier des Schweigens.
A veil of silence lay over the whole affair.
veil
A thin layer of fog, haze, or smoke that obstructs visibility.
Am Morgen lag ein dichter Schleier aus Nebel über dem Tal.
In the morning, a thick veil of fog lay over the valley.
The verb 'verschleiern' (to obscure/conceal) is derived from the noun 'der Schleier' (the veil). It means to hide something or make it unrecognizable, often in a figurative sense, for example the truth.
Der Politiker versuchte, seine wahren Absichten zu verschleiern.
The politician tried to conceal his true intentions.
In a figurative sense, 'Schleier' (veil) is often combined with a noun in the genitive to express that something is hidden or unclear. Typical phrases are 'der Schleier des Schweigens' (the veil of silence) or 'der Schleier der Nacht' (the veil of night).
Ein Schleier des Geheimnisses lag über dem Verschwinden des Forschers.
A veil of mystery lay over the researcher's disappearance.
When 'Schleier' (veil) is used with abstract terms such as 'Geheimnis' (secret/mystery), 'Vergessen' (forgetting), or 'Schweigen' (silence), the figurative meaning is intended. If, on the other hand, it appears with words like 'Nebel' (fog) or 'Rauch' (smoke), it refers to an actual obstruction of visibility.
Über seiner Vergangenheit lag ein Schleier des Vergessens.
A veil of oblivion lay over his past.
In the context of clothing, the most common verbs are 'einen Schleier tragen' (to wear a veil) and 'den Schleier lüften' (to lift the veil). The phrase 'den Schleier lüften' can also be used figuratively and then means to reveal a secret.
Die Ermittler hoffen, bald den Schleier über diesem Fall lüften zu können.
The investigators hope to lift the veil over this case soon.
headscarf
Kopftuch and Schleier are fabrics that can be worn on the head. A Kopftuch covers the head, for example for religious or practical reasons. A Schleier is usually made of thin fabric and can also cover the face or be part of a headdress.
Ihr dünner Schleier bedeckt auch einen Teil ihres Gesichts.
Her thin veil also covers part of her face.
Ihr Kopftuch bedeckt die Haare, aber ihr Gesicht bleibt frei.
Her headscarf covers her hair, but her face remains uncovered.
