Der Zeitgeist
Example: Der Zeitgeist spiegelt die gesellschaftlichen Werte einer Epoche wider.
Definition
"Der Zeitgeist" refers to the spirit or general cultural, intellectual, and moral climate of a particular era. It captures the prevailing attitudes, beliefs, and values that characterize a specific period in society, influencing art, politics, and social life.
Etymology
The term "der Zeitgeist" originates from German, combining 'Zeit' meaning 'time' and 'Geist' meaning 'spirit' or 'ghost.' It literally translates to 'spirit of the time,' reflecting how a particular era's defining mood or ideas are captured in this phrase.
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"Der Zeitgeist" appears in the Vocaplus list "German - General - (C2) - set 1", containing 95 commonly used words.
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the spirit of the time