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.
civil
Civil, as opposed to state, military, or church-related. Often used in legal contexts to describe a citizen's private rights.
Das Bürgerliche Gesetzbuch regelt die Rechtsbeziehungen zwischen Privatpersonen.
The German Civil Code regulates legal relationships between private individuals.
center-right
In a political context, a term for parties and ideologies that are conservative, liberal, or Christian democratic, as opposed to socialist or green parties.
Die bürgerlichen Parteien bildeten eine Koalition.
The center-right parties formed a coalition.
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.
right
Rechts and bürgerlich can both describe a political position or party. „Bürgerlich“ usually refers to a conservative, liberal, or Christian democratic camp, while „rechts“ describes a position on the political spectrum and can also include more radical movements. Use „bürgerlich“ for the established camp and „rechts“ for the broader classification.
Die bürgerliche Partei verbindet konservative Werte mit liberalen Ideen.
The center-right party combines conservative values with liberal ideas.
Die Partei steht politisch rechts und spricht über nationale Interessen.
The party is politically right-wing and talks about national interests.
