zieren
to adorn
To embellish or decorate something in order to make it more beautiful.
EXAMPLE
Ein wunderschönes Gemälde ziert die Wand über dem Kamin.
A beautiful painting adorns the wall above the fireplace.
zieren
to adorn / be coy
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Meanings
sich zieren
to be coy
To hesitate to accept or do something out of, often affected, shyness or modesty.
EXAMPLE
Zier dich nicht so und nimm dir doch noch ein Stück von dem leckeren Kuchen!
Don't be so coy and go ahead and have another piece of that delicious cake!
Usage tips
Reflexive or not?
Pay attention to the reflexive pronoun 'sich' (oneself). Without 'sich,' 'zieren' means to adorn. With 'sich,' 'sich zieren' means to hesitate out of shyness or for show.
EXAMPLE
Alte Bäume zieren den Park.
Old trees adorn the park.
Sentence structure
When 'zieren' means 'schmücken' (to decorate/adorn), the decoration is the subject of the sentence, and the place or object being decorated is the accusative object. This structure is typical of an elevated register.
EXAMPLE
Zahlreiche Trophäen zieren sein Büro.
Numerous trophies adorn his office.
Typical prompt
The command 'Zier dich nicht!' (Don't be coy!) is a very common colloquial expression. You say it to someone who hesitates to accept an offer, in order to encourage them.
EXAMPLE
Ach komm, zier dich nicht so und sing mit uns!
Oh come on, don't be so coy and sing with us!
Compare with
zieren vs schmücken
to decorate
Both Schmücken and zieren can refer to making something more beautiful with decorations. Schmücken is the usual, broad verb for the active action. Zieren often sounds more literary and frequently describes a decoration that is already visibly attached to a place or object.
zieren
Während des Festes ziert ein Blumenkranz die Eingangstür.
During the celebration, a wreath of flowers adorns the front door.
schmücken
Für das Fest schmückt Mia die Eingangstür mit einem Blumenkranz.
For the celebration, Mia decorates the front door with a wreath of flowers.
In real life
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