01
verschönern
to beautify
To make something more beautiful, more presentable, or more attractive.
example
Sie haben den Garten mit neuen Blumen und einem kleinen Teich verschönert.
They beautified the garden with new flowers and a small pond.
verschönern
to beautify
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Meanings
Usage tips
Inseparable verb
The verb 'verschönern' (to beautify) begins with the prefix 'ver-' and is therefore inseparable. The prefix stays firmly attached to the verb stem 'schönern' in all sentence forms.
EXAMPLE
Die Stadt hat den alten Marktplatz verschönert.
The city beautified the old marketplace.
Word structure
The word is derived from the adjective 'schön' (beautiful). The prefix 'ver-' expresses a change here: you make something 'schön' (beautiful) or 'schöner' (more beautiful).
EXAMPLE
Wir wollen unser Wohnzimmer mit neuer Farbe verschönern.
We want to beautify our living room with new paint.
Sentence structure and use
'Verschönern' (to beautify) is a transitive verb and always requires an accusative object. You always beautify 'etwas' (something).
EXAMPLE
Die Anwohner verschönern ihre Straße mit Blumenkästen.
The residents are beautifying their street with flower boxes.
Compare with
verschönern vs schmücken
to decorate
'schmücken' and 'verschönern' both have to do with making something more beautiful. 'schmücken' usually means adding decorations, for example flowers, lights, or jewelry. 'verschönern' is more general. You can beautify something with decorations, but also with paint, tidiness, repairs, or better design. When it is clearly about festive decoration, 'schmücken' is more precise. When only the result matters, namely that something becomes more beautiful, 'verschönern' often fits better.
verschönern
Die Gruppe verschönert den Hof mit neuer Farbe und vielen Pflanzen.
The group is beautifying the courtyard with new paint and lots of plants.
schmücken
Für die Hochzeit haben wir den Eingang mit Blumen geschmückt.
For the wedding, we decorated the entrance with flowers.
In real life
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