01
die Szene
scene
A short section of a play, film, or book that presents a connected action in one place.
example
Die Abschiedsszene am Bahnhof war sehr emotional.
The farewell scene at the train station was very emotional.
die Szene
scene
Checking...
Loading your saved state.
Meanings
01 / 04
Usage tips
Context: film & theater
In this meaning, 'Szene' (scene) refers to part of a film or play. Typical verbs in this context are 'spielen' (to act/play), 'drehen' (to shoot/film), or 'proben' (to rehearse).
EXAMPLE
Für diese eine Szene hat das Filmteam drei Tage gebraucht.
The film crew needed three days for this one scene.
Describing subcultures
To name a particular social group or subculture, 'Szene' (scene) is often used as the second part of a compound noun. Examples are 'Musikszene' (music scene), 'Modeszene' (fashion scene), or 'Start-up-Szene' (start-up scene).
EXAMPLE
Er kennt sich in der Berliner Kunstszene sehr gut aus.
He knows the Berlin art scene very well.
Fixed expression
The expression 'eine Szene machen' (to make a scene) is a fixed unit. It means that someone has a loud, inappropriate, and often embarrassing emotional outburst in public.
EXAMPLE
Bitte mach hier keine Szene, wir können das zu Hause in Ruhe besprechen.
Please don't make a scene here; we can discuss this calmly at home.
Context: crime
When 'Szene' (scene) is used in connection with police, investigations, or a crime, it always means the location of the event. A typical phrase is 'die Szene des Verbrechens' (the scene of the crime).
EXAMPLE
Die Spurensicherung untersuchte die Szene bis ins kleinste Detail.
The forensic team examined the scene down to the smallest detail.
Compare with
Szene vs Theater
theater
'die Szene' and 'das Theater' can both have to do with acting and with dramatic behavior. In theater or film, a 'Szene' is an individual part of the action. 'Theater' means the art form, or also exaggerated behavior. In everyday speech, 'eine Szene machen' (to make a scene) and 'Theater machen' (to make a fuss / make drama) are similar: both describe loud or unnecessarily dramatic behavior. The words can be confused because they occur together in the world of the stage. The important difference is: a scene is a part; theater is the art form or the whole dramatic behavior.
Szene
Vor dem Restaurant machte er eine Szene, weil sein Tisch noch nicht frei war.
He made a scene in front of the restaurant because his table was not free yet.
Theater
Mach bitte kein Theater wegen der kleinen Verspätung.
Please don't make a fuss about the small delay.
In real life
Loading video examples...