idealization / transfiguration
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idealization
The idealizing or glossing-over portrayal of something or someone, often in retrospect, which makes it appear better than it was.
In seinen Memoiren neigt der Autor zur Verklärung seiner eigenen Rolle in den Ereignissen.
In his memoirs, the author tends toward an idealization of his own role in the events.
'Verklärung' (idealization/transfiguration) comes from the verb 'verklären' (to idealize/transfigure). The ending '-ung' forms the noun. The word contains the stem 'klar' (clear), and the prefix 'ver-' suggests a change or intensification—something is presented as 'over-clear' or idealized.
Er neigt dazu, seine Schulzeit zu verklären.
He tends to idealize his school days.
The word 'Verklärung' (idealization/transfiguration) belongs to an elevated, rather poetic or educated register. It is rarely used in normal everyday speech.
Seine Beschreibung des einfachen Landlebens grenzte an Verklärung.
His description of simple country life bordered on idealization.
The context reveals the meaning: if it is about memory or history, the idealizing portrayal is meant. In a religious or art-historical context, it refers to the biblical scene. If it is about a face, the happy expression is meant.
Die Verklärung der Vergangenheit verhindert oft eine kritische Auseinandersetzung.
The idealization of the past often prevents critical engagement with it.
In the sense of idealization, people often speak of the 'Verklärung der Vergangenheit' (idealization of the past), the 'Verklärung der Kindheit' (idealization of childhood), or say that someone 'zur Verklärung neigt' (tends toward idealization).
Viele ältere Menschen neigen zur Verklärung ihrer Jugendzeit.
Many older people tend to idealize their youth.
nostalgia
'die Nostalgie' and 'die Verklärung' can both have to do with seeing the past in a positive light. 'Nostalgie' is above all a feeling: you long for the past and enjoy remembering it. 'Verklärung' describes more that someone presents or sees something as too beautiful, better than it really was. Learners may confuse the words because nostalgia sometimes leads to idealization. If you mean the feeling, use 'Nostalgie'. If you want to say that someone is glossing over the past, 'Verklärung' is more precise.
Yusuf hat in seinem Aufsatz die Verklärung der alten Schulzeit kritisiert.
In his essay, Yusuf criticized the idealization of the old school days.
Im Kurs erzählt mein Nachbar mit Nostalgie von den Sommerferien seiner Kindheit.
In the course, my neighbor talks with nostalgia about the summer holidays of his childhood.