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Zeitgeist: meaning, definitions and examples

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zeitgeist

 

[ ˈzaɪtˌɡaɪst ]

Noun
Context #1 | Noun

cultural spirit

The term 'zeitgeist' refers to the spirit or mood of a particular period in history as reflected in the ideas and beliefs of the time. It often encompasses the intellectual, moral, and cultural climate of an era. Understanding the zeitgeist can provide insights into the influences that shape art, literature, and social movements during that period.

Synonyms

cultural climate, mood of the age, spirit of the time

Examples of usage

  • The zeitgeist of the 1960s was marked by counterculture and political activism.
  • His works capture the zeitgeist of the modern digital age.
  • The film reflects the zeitgeist of post-war America.

Translations

Translations of the word "zeitgeist" in other languages:

🇵🇹 espírito do tempo

🇮🇳 काल की भावना

🇩🇪 Zeitgeist

🇮🇩 semangat zaman

🇺🇦 дух часу

🇵🇱 duch czasu

🇯🇵 時代精神

🇫🇷 esprit du temps

🇪🇸 espíritu del tiempo

🇹🇷 zamanın ruhu

🇰🇷 시대정신

🇸🇦 روح العصر

🇨🇿 duch doby

🇸🇰 duch doby

🇨🇳 时代精神

🇸🇮 duh časa

🇮🇸 tíðarandi

🇰🇿 заман рухы

🇬🇪 დროის სული

🇦🇿 zamana ruhu

🇲🇽 espíritu del tiempo

Etymology

The word 'zeitgeist' is of German origin, derived from the words 'Zeit', meaning 'time', and 'Geist', meaning 'spirit' or 'ghost'. It entered the English language in the early 20th century, initially being used in philosophical discussions to describe the essence of an age characterized by a dominant thought or cultural orientation. The concept became particularly influential during the period of German Idealism and later in Romanticism, as thinkers sought to understand and articulate the values and beliefs that defined their time. In contemporary use, 'zeitgeist' is often associated with movements in art, literature, and social commentary, reflecting how cultural phenomena resonate with the prevailing attitudes and concerns of a society at a specific point in history.

Word Frequency Rank

Ranking #36,336, this word is encountered relatively rarely in everyday English. It might appear in literary works or specialized texts but isn't essential for general communication.