die Jalousie, -n

Definition & meaning

A Jalousie is a type of window covering used to regulate light and provide privacy. It consists of several horizontal slats made of wood, plastic, or metal that are held together by cords. These slats can be tilted to adjust the amount of light entering a room or raised and lowered entirely.

While the term primarily refers to the interior venetian blind, it can sometimes be used to describe similar structures on the exterior of a building. In modern German usage, it refers strictly to the physical object (the blind) and not the emotion of jealousy, even though the words share the same origin.

Grammar & Word origin

The word is a feminine noun: die Jalousie. The plural form is die Jalousien.

It was borrowed from the French word "jalousie," which means both "jealousy" and "blind." The window fixture received this name because it allowed people inside a house to look out onto the street without being seen by others. Historically, this was associated with protective or jealous husbands who wanted to shield their wives from the gaze of strangers while still allowing them to see outside.

Synonyms & antonyms

The most common synonyms in German relate to other types of window treatments or specific technical terms:

• Rolladen↗: While a Jalousie is usually inside and has slats that tilt, a Rolladen is typically an exterior rolling shutter.
• Raffstore↗: A more technical term often used for high-quality exterior blinds with adjustable slats.
• Sonnenschutz↗: A general term for anything that protects a room from sunlight.
• Sichtschutz↗: A general term for anything that provides privacy from outside views.
• Rollos↗: These are usually made of a single piece of fabric rather than slats.

In terms of the historical meaning of jealousy, the German synonym is:

• Eifersucht↗

There are no direct antonyms for this noun, as it describes a specific object. However, in terms of function, one might consider a clear Fenster↗ (window) without any covering as its functional opposite.