das Theater
theater
A building in which plays, operas, or other performing arts are performed in front of an audience.
EXAMPLE
Die Vorstellung im Deutschen Theater war ausverkauft.
The performance at the Deutsches Theater was sold out.
das Theater
theater
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Meanings
das Theater
drama / fuss
Exaggerated, dramatic, or agitated behavior; unnecessary effort or fuss.
EXAMPLE
Mach doch nicht so ein Theater, es ist nur ein kleiner Kratzer!
Don't make such a fuss; it's just a small scratch!
das Theater
theater
The art form of acting and stage performance itself.
EXAMPLE
Sie interessiert sich seit ihrer Kindheit für das Theater.
She has been interested in theater since childhood.
das Theater
theater company
All the people employed at a theater, especially the ensemble.
EXAMPLE
Das ganze Theater feierte nach der Premiere bis in die Morgenstunden.
The whole theater company celebrated after the premiere until the early hours of the morning.
Usage tips
False friend
'Das Theater' (theater) refers to a place for live performances such as plays or opera. A place where films are shown is called 'das Kino' (cinema/movie theater) in German, not 'Theater'.
EXAMPLE
Wir gehen heute Abend ins Theater, um uns ein Musical anzusehen.
We're going to the theater tonight to see a musical.
Context clue
You can recognize the different meanings from the sentence structure. 'Ins Theater gehen' (to go to the theater) refers to the building. 'Sich für Theater interessieren' (to be interested in theater) refers to the art form. The exclamation 'Mach kein Theater!' (Don't make a fuss!) refers to exaggerated behavior.
EXAMPLE
Die Karten für das große Theater sind teuer.
Tickets for the big theater are expensive.
Important prepositions
Pay attention to the case with the preposition 'in': Movement toward the place is expressed with the accusative ('ins Theater' — to the theater), while being at the place is expressed with the dative ('im Theater' — in/at the theater).
EXAMPLE
Morgen Abend gehen wir ins Theater.
Tomorrow evening we're going to the theater.
Fixed expression
The figurative meaning is very often used in the fixed expression 'ein Theater machen' (to make a fuss). This means that someone is dramatizing a situation or making an unnecessary big deal out of something.
EXAMPLE
Er macht immer ein riesiges Theater, wenn er eine Spritze bekommen soll.
He always makes a huge fuss when he has to get an injection.
Register
The meaning 'exaggerated behavior' is especially common in colloquial language. In formal situations, this expression is generally avoided.
EXAMPLE
Hör auf mit dem Theater und iss dein Gemüse!
Stop with the drama and eat your vegetables!
Compare with
ShowTourVorstellungBühneAufführungKomödieSchauspielZirkusCircusSchauspielhausOpernhausSchauspielereiGetue
Theater vs Show
show
Show and Theater can both refer to exaggerated behavior. With a Show, the behavior mainly seems staged or intended to attract attention. Theater, by contrast, emphasizes unnecessary fuss, strong agitation, or dramatic effort.
Theater
Er machte vor den Gästen ein großes Theater, weil sein Platz besetzt war.
He made a big fuss in front of the guests because his seat was occupied.
Show
Er machte vor den Gästen eine große Show, damit alle ihn beachteten.
He put on a big show in front of the guests so that everyone would notice him.
In real life
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