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.
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.
smoke
'Rauch' and 'Schleier' can both refer to something visible in the air that makes it harder to see. However, 'Rauch' is produced by fire or combustion. Here, 'Schleier' refers more to a thin layer of fog, haze, or smoke that acts like a light curtain. Learners may confuse the words when smoke is only thinly spread through the air. In that case, you can speak figuratively of a 'Schleier'. If the cause is fire, 'Rauch' is more precise; if the thin, obscuring layer is what matters, 'Schleier' fits better.
Ein leichter Schleier aus Rauch lag über der Straße.
A light veil of smoke lay over the street.
Aus dem Kamin stieg dunkler Rauch in den Himmel.
Dark smoke rose from the chimney into the sky.