das Zivil
civilian clothes
Clothing that someone wears outside a uniform, especially soldiers or police officers.
EXAMPLE
Der Polizist erschien in Zivil bei der Veranstaltung.
The police officer appeared at the event in civilian clothes.
das Zivil
civilian clothes
das Zivil
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Meanings
Forms
Forms adapted from the German Wiktionary entry Zivil, by Wiktionary contributors, licence CC BY-SA 4.0.
At a glance
| gender | neuter das |
|---|---|
| genitive | des Zivils |
The four cases
| singular | plural | |
|---|---|---|
| nominative | das Zivil | – |
| accusative | das Zivil | – |
| dative | dem Zivil | – |
| genitive | des Zivils | – |
The article changes with the case; it is shown in colour.
Usage tips
Fixed expression
The word is very often used in the fixed expression „in Zivil“ (in civilian clothes). No article is used between „in“ and „Zivil“; the expression describes appearing outside one's official uniform.
EXAMPLE
Der Ermittler war an diesem Abend in Zivil unterwegs.
The investigator was out in civilian clothes that evening.
Typical collocations
„Zivil“ is often used with verbs describing appearing or presenting oneself, for example „in Zivil auftreten“ (to appear in civilian clothes), „in Zivil erscheinen“ (to appear in civilian clothes), and „in Zivil unterwegs sein“ (to be out in civilian clothes).
EXAMPLE
Bei der Demonstration traten mehrere Beamte in Zivil auf.
Several officers appeared in civilian clothes at the demonstration.
Context clue
„Zivil“ is particularly common in texts and conversations about the police, military, or other uniformed professions. References to people and verbs such as „kontrollieren“ (to check), „ermitteln“ (to investigate), or „auftreten“ (to appear) help identify this meaning.
EXAMPLE
Der Beamte in Zivil beobachtete die Situation unauffällig.
The officer in civilian clothes observed the situation inconspicuously.
In real life
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