middle-class / civil
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middle-class
Relating to the social middle class (the bourgeoisie), its values, lifestyle, or conventions. It can imply a certain conventionality or solid respectability.
Sie führte ein ruhiges, bürgerliches Leben in der Vorstadt.
She led a quiet, middle-class life in the suburbs.
The adjective 'bürgerlich' derives from the noun 'der Bürger' (citizen). The ending '-lich' turns the noun into an adjective meaning 'in the manner of a citizen' or 'belonging to a citizen'.
Die bürgerlichen Rechte und Pflichten sind im Gesetz festgelegt.
Civil rights and duties are laid down in the law.
When 'bürgerlich' is used in connection with lifestyle, values, or culture, it refers to the traditional middle class. It can be a neutral description or have a slightly negative connotation of 'conventional'.
Sie schätzen eine traditionelle, bürgerliche Einrichtung mit alten Holzmöbeln.
They appreciate a traditional, middle-class interior with old wooden furniture.
In a legal or administrative context, 'bürgerlich' means roughly 'civil' and stands in contrast to 'staatlich' (state) or 'kirchlich' (church-related). The most important combination is 'das Bürgerliche Gesetzbuch' (German Civil Code, BGB).
Ein Kaufvertrag ist ein Rechtsgeschäft des bürgerlichen Rechts.
A purchase contract is a legal transaction under civil law.
In political discussions, 'bürgerlich' refers to parties and positions considered conservative, liberal, or pro-business. It serves as a collective term for the political spectrum right of center.
Die Zeitung vertritt eine eher bürgerliche Perspektive.
The newspaper represents a rather center-right perspective.
In the sociocultural meaning, 'bürgerlich' is often combined with certain nouns. Typical phrases are 'ein bürgerliches Leben führen' (to lead a middle-class life), 'bürgerliche Konventionen' (middle-class conventions), or 'bürgerliche Küche' (traditional home-style cooking).
Das Restaurant ist bekannt für seine gute bürgerliche Küche.
The restaurant is known for its good traditional home-style cooking.
state / public
'staatlich' and 'bürgerlich' can form a contrast when talking about the state and civil or private spheres. 'staatlich' means: from the state, belonging to the state, or regulated by the state. In this relationship, 'bürgerlich' means more like civil and not military, not church-related, or not directly state-related. You often find it in fixed expressions such as 'bürgerliches Recht' (civil law) or 'bürgerlich heiraten' (to have a civil wedding). The words can be confusing because both have to do with society and rules. The important point is: 'staatlich' points to the state as an institution, while 'bürgerlich' points more to the sphere of citizens and civil life.
Am Freitag heiraten sie bürgerlich im Standesamt.
On Friday they are having a civil wedding at the registry office.
Die staatliche Prüfung findet jedes Jahr im Frühjahr statt.
The state examination takes place every year in spring.