der Dinosaurier
dinosaur
An extinct, often very large reptile that lived in the Mesozoic era.
EXAMPLE
Im Naturkundemuseum steht das Skelett eines riesigen Dinosauriers.
The skeleton of a huge dinosaur stands in the natural history museum.
der Dinosaurier
dinosaur
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Meanings
der Dinosaurier
dinosaur
Colloquial and derogatory term for a person or organization that is outdated, no longer in keeping with the times, and unwilling to adapt to new developments.
EXAMPLE
Mit seiner Ablehnung von Computern ist der alte Chef ein echter Dinosaurier.
With his rejection of computers, the old boss is a real dinosaur.
Usage tips
Typical collocations
In connection with the extinct animal, 'Dinosaurier' (dinosaur) is often combined with words like 'Skelett' (skeleton), 'Fossilien' (fossils), 'ausgestorben' (extinct), or 'Museum' (museum).
EXAMPLE
Forscher haben die Fossilien eines bisher unbekannten Dinosauriers entdeckt.
Researchers have discovered the fossils of a previously unknown dinosaur.
Context clue
This figurative meaning is used for people, companies, or ideas that are considered outdated and not adaptable. The tone is usually critical or mocking.
EXAMPLE
Die Firma gilt als Dinosaurier der Branche, weil sie die Digitalisierung verschlafen hat.
The company is considered a dinosaur of the industry because it slept through digitalization.
Register
The use of 'Dinosaurier' (dinosaur) for an outdated person or thing is colloquial. In a formal or neutral text, you would choose a different description.
EXAMPLE
Mein Opa ist beim Thema Smartphones ein echter Dinosaurier, er benutzt immer noch sein altes Tastenhandy.
My grandpa is a real dinosaur when it comes to smartphones; he still uses his old button phone.
Compare with
Dinosaurier vs fossil
fossil
Dinosaurier and fossil can both be used disparagingly to express that someone or something is outdated. Dinosaurier particularly emphasizes that a person or organization is unwilling to adapt. Fossil places greater emphasis on the fact that views or methods come from a bygone era.
Dinosaurier
Der Abteilungsleiter gilt als Dinosaurier, weil er jede neue Arbeitsweise ablehnt.
The department head is considered a dinosaur because he rejects every new way of working.
fossil
Die Arbeitsweise des Abteilungsleiters wirkt fossil, weil sie aus einer vergangenen Zeit stammt.
The department head's way of working seems fossilized because it comes from a bygone era.
In real life
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