adornment
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adornment
Something that serves as ornamentation or decoration and makes a person, object, or place more beautiful. The term is often perceived as elevated or slightly old-fashioned.
Die alten Schnitzereien an der Fassade dienen allein der Zier.
The old carvings on the facade serve solely as adornment.
for decoration
A fixed expression meaning that something is present only for decorative reasons and has no practical use.
Die kleinen Kissen auf dem Sofa liegen dort nur zur Zier.
The small cushions on the sofa are there only for decoration.
'Die Zier' (adornment) belongs to a word family around the theme of ornamentation and beauty. Related words are the verb 'zieren' (to adorn/decorate something) and the adjective 'zierlich' (delicate, graceful).
Blumen zieren den Balkon.
Flowers adorn the balcony.
The word stem 'Zier-' is often used as the first part of compound nouns to show that something is decorative and not primarily useful. Examples are 'Zierpflanze' (ornamental plant), 'Zierfisch' (ornamental fish), or 'Ziergarten' (ornamental garden).
Im Gartencenter gibt es eine große Auswahl an Zierpflanzen.
At the garden center there is a large selection of ornamental plants.
The word 'Zier' (adornment) on its own is rarely used today and sounds rather elevated or poetic. In everyday language, one would more likely speak of 'Schmuck' (ornament/jewelry) or 'Dekoration' (decoration).
Das Gedicht beschreibt die Sterne als Zier der Nacht.
The poem describes the stars as the adornment of the night.
The expression 'zur Zier' (for decoration) is a fixed construction. It means that something is there only for decorative reasons and fulfills no practical purpose.
Die antike Vase im Regal steht dort nur zur Zier.
The antique vase on the shelf is there only for decoration.
