schmückt

Schmückt is the third-person singular present tense form of the German verb schmücken. It means to decorate or adorn something, typically by adding ornaments, colors, or lights. The form is used when the subject is he, she, or it.

Etymology and related forms: Schmücken derives from the noun Schmuck, meaning ornament or jewelry. The related past participle is geschmückt, used in perfect tenses to indicate that something has been decorated. The adjective geschmückt describes something that is adorned.

Grammar and usage: Schmücken is a transitive verb and usually requires a direct object in the accusative case. Examples: "Sie schmückt den Tannenbaum" (She decorates the Christmas tree) or "Der Saal wird geschmückt" (The hall is being decorated). The reflexive form, sich schmücken, means to adorn oneself and is common in contexts like fashion or formal occasions: "Sie schmückt sich für das Fest." Both senses—decorating objects and adorning oneself—are standard in standard German.

Context and nuance: Schmücken is widely used in festive or decorative contexts, such as holidays, ceremonies, or interior decoration. In everyday speech, it can be exchanged with synonyms like dekorieren or verzieren, but schmücken often carries a slightly traditional or picturesque tone.

See also: Schmuck, Schmückung, geschmückt.