appearance
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to appear
To become visible, appear, or be found. This noun is used almost exclusively in this fixed expression.
Beim Aufräumen des Kellers kam ein altes Tagebuch zum Vorschein.
While tidying up the basement, an old diary appeared.
The noun 'Vorschein' is used almost exclusively in the fixed expression 'zum Vorschein kommen' (to appear / to come to light), which means 'sichtbar werden' (to become visible) or 'auftauchen' (to appear).
Als die Sonne hinter den Wolken zum Vorschein kam, wurde es wärmer.
When the sun appeared from behind the clouds, it got warmer.
Since the expression contains the verb 'kommen' (to come), the perfect tense is always formed with 'sein'. So it is 'ist zum Vorschein gekommen' (has appeared / came to light).
Bei der Renovierung ist eine alte Zeitung von 1950 zum Vorschein gekommen.
During the renovation, an old newspaper from 1950 came to light.
In the expression 'zum Vorschein kommen' (to appear / to come to light), the thing or person that becomes visible is always the subject of the sentence.
Nach langer Suche kam der verlorene Schlüssel endlich zum Vorschein.
After a long search, the lost key finally appeared.
to appear
Both expressions can describe something becoming visible. Erscheinen is general and also works when nothing was hidden beforehand, whereas „zum Vorschein kommen“ especially emphasizes something hidden becoming visible or being discovered. For a hidden object, this fixed expression is therefore particularly appropriate.
Unter dem alten Teppich kam eine Holztür zum Vorschein.
A wooden door came to light beneath the old carpet.
Am Horizont erschien langsam der erste Lichtstreifen.
The first strip of light slowly appeared on the horizon.
