vanity
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vanity
Excessive concern with one's own outward appearance and the effect one has on others; a desire to be admired and self-satisfaction.
Aus reiner Eitelkeit trägt er auch bei warmem Wetter einen Schal, weil er ihm seiner Meinung nach gut steht.
Out of pure vanity, he wears a scarf even in warm weather because he thinks it looks good on him.
vanity
(elevated, becoming dated) The quality of being futile, transient, or worthless; the nothingness of earthly things.
In seiner Predigt sprach der Pfarrer über die Eitelkeit weltlicher Güter und Reichtümer.
In his sermon, the pastor spoke about the vanity of worldly goods and riches.
'Die Eitelkeit' (vanity) is the noun corresponding to the adjective 'eitel' (vain). The ending '-keit' is often used to form abstract nouns from adjectives that describe a quality.
Er ist sehr eitel und schaut ständig in den Spiegel.
He is very vain and constantly looks in the mirror.
To state the reason for an action, the fixed expression 'aus Eitelkeit' (out of vanity) or 'aus reiner Eitelkeit' (out of pure vanity) is often used.
Er kaufte das teure Auto nur aus Eitelkeit.
He bought the expensive car only out of vanity.
Common combinations are 'jemandes Eitelkeit schmeicheln' (to flatter someone's vanity) or 'jemandes Eitelkeit verletzen' (to hurt someone's vanity by criticizing their appearance or abilities).
Mit deiner Kritik hast du seine Eitelkeit tief verletzt.
With your criticism, you deeply hurt his vanity.
This meaning is elevated and dated. It is now found almost only in religious, philosophical, or very old literary texts to describe the transience of worldly things.
Der Roman handelt von der Eitelkeit des menschlichen Strebens nach Macht.
The novel is about the vanity of the human pursuit of power.
insignificance
In elevated, older texts, Eitelkeit can refer to the worthlessness or transience of earthly things. Bedeutungslosigkeit is the modern word for something that has no or only little importance; transience is not automatically implied. For modern statements about a lack of relevance, Bedeutungslosigkeit is therefore more appropriate.
Der alte Text beklagt die Eitelkeit allen irdischen Ruhms.
The old text laments the vanity of all earthly glory.
Der heutige Kommentar betont die Bedeutungslosigkeit dieses irdischen Ruhms.
The modern commentary emphasizes the insignificance of this earthly glory.
