barbarism
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barbarism
A state or act of extreme cruelty, brutality, and inhumanity that is seen as hostile to civilization.
Die absichtliche Zerstörung der historischen Kunstwerke war ein Akt reiner Barbarei.
The deliberate destruction of the historical artworks was an act of pure barbarism.
barbarism
A state of cultural and social primitiveness or backwardness, often from the perspective of a culture that sees itself as superior.
Aus Sicht der alten Römer lebten die germanischen Stämme in der Barbarei.
From the point of view of the ancient Romans, the Germanic tribes lived in barbarism.
The word is derived from 'der Barbar' (the barbarian). The ending '-ei', similar to 'Schweinerei' (mess / disgrace) or 'Heuchelei' (hypocrisy), forms an abstract noun that describes negative behavior or a state.
Solche Zerstörungswut ist reine Barbarei.
Such destructive rage is pure barbarism.
'Barbarei' (barbarism) is a very strong and judgmental word. It is used in elevated written language to describe extreme cruelty or cultural decline, not everyday rudeness.
Der Historiker bezeichnete die Ereignisse als einen Rückfall in die Barbarei.
The historian described the events as a relapse into barbarism.
In this meaning, 'Barbarei' (barbarism) is often used in fixed collocations, for example 'ein Akt der Barbarei' (an act of barbarism), 'reine Barbarei' (pure barbarism), or 'grenzenlose Barbarei' (boundless barbarism).
Die Zerstörung der Bibliothek war ein unentschuldbarer Akt der Barbarei.
The destruction of the library was an inexcusable act of barbarism.
This meaning is almost always found in historical or cultural-studies texts. Keywords such as 'Zivilisation' (civilization), 'Kultur' (culture), or names of ancient peoples such as 'Römer' (Romans) point to this context.
In vielen antiken Schriften wird das Leben außerhalb des eigenen Reiches als Barbarei dargestellt.
In many ancient writings, life outside one's own empire is portrayed as barbarism.
cruelty
Grausamkeit refers here to a specific act that deliberately causes suffering to others without compassion. Barbarei can also refer to such an act, but additionally judges it as extremely inhuman and hostile to civilization. For this broader judgment, Barbarei is the better fit.
Das absichtliche Töten aller Gefangenen wurde als zivilisationsfeindliche Barbarei verurteilt.
Deliberately killing all the prisoners was condemned as barbarism hostile to civilization.
Das absichtliche Quälen der Gefangenen war eine schreckliche Grausamkeit.
Deliberately torturing the prisoners was a terrible act of cruelty.
