Silhouette
[ziˈlʊ̯ɛtə]
The English phrase "silhouette" is translated into German as Silhouette.
The word refers to the dark outline of someone or something seen against a brighter background.
Meaning: dark outline of someone or something seen against a brighter background (noun)
Which one should you use?
While Silhouette is the standard term, Schattenriss can be used in artistic or traditional contexts when specifically referring to a shadow outline.
How does it change in a sentence?
The noun Silhouette is feminine and is used with the definite article die. The plural form is Silhouetten. In the genitive case, the word becomes der Silhouette.
Did you know?
- The word Silhouette was borrowed from French, which originally named the style after Étienne de Silhouette, a 18th-century French finance minister known for his austerity.
- The German term Schattenriss combines 'shadow' and 'tear/cut', reflecting the physical act of cutting shapes out of paper.
- If you are describing a very faint or vague silhouette, a German might use the word Schemen, which carries a slightly more ghostly or indistinct connotation.
Examples in context
- Die einzigen Bilder, die es von Tom gibt, sind mit Gegenlicht, das heißt, man sieht im Grunde nur seine Silhouette.The only pictures there are of Tom are backlit, which in essence means you can only see him in silhouette.This sentence shows how the word Silhouette is used when describing someone seen via backlighting.Tatoeba #8959896 by Pfirsichbaeumchen, translation #8973569 by sundown
- Ich mag die Silhouette, die mir diese Kleidung verleiht.I like the silhouette these clothes give me.This sentence demonstrates using Silhouette to describe the shape or outline provided by clothing.Tatoeba #1115164 by cumori, translation #57278 by rul
- Das Gebäude zeichnet sich durch seine markante Kontur aus.The building is characterized by its distinctive silhouette.
- Der Künstler malte einen Schattenriss der neuen Stadtsehenswürdigkeit.The artist painted a silhouette of the new city landmark.
- In der Dämmerung sah man die Schattenbilder der Bäume auf der Wiese.In the twilight, you could see the silhouettes of the trees on the meadow.
- Der Künstler erschuf eine faszinierende Schattenrisszeichnung der berühmten Person.The artist created a fascinating silhouette drawing of the famous person.
- Im Mondlicht war nur die Silhouette des Baumes zu sehen.In the moonlight, only the silhouette of the tree could be seen.
- 1 more sentence on Tatoeba
Example conversation
A couple is standing on a balcony looking at the sunset.
- JulianSieh mal, dort drüben ist die Silhouette der Berge.Look, over there is the silhouette of the mountains.
- HannahJa, das sieht wirklich wunderschön aus, Julian.Yes, that looks really beautiful, Julian.
- JulianDie Sonne macht die Schatten sehr lang.The sun is making the shadows very long.
- HannahDas ist ein toller Moment.This is a great moment.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry Silhouette, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries Silhouette, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
