guest worker
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guest worker
A term for foreign workers who came from the 1950s onward, especially to Germany, to work there temporarily. The term is historically marked and is often considered outdated today.
Viele ehemalige Gastarbeiter aus der Türkei und Italien sind mit ihren Familien in Deutschland geblieben.
Many former guest workers from Turkey and Italy stayed in Germany with their families.
The word consists of 'Gast' (guest) and 'Arbeiter' (worker). It literally describes a worker who is in the country only as a guest for a limited time. This literal meaning is why the term is often considered inappropriate today.
Die Idee des „Gastarbeiters“ war, dass die Menschen nur vorübergehend bleiben.
The idea of the 'Gastarbeiter' (guest worker) was that people would stay only temporarily.
This term is strongly connected with German history after the Second World War, especially with the 'Wirtschaftswunder' (economic miracle) of the 1950s and 1960s. Today, it is used mainly in historical contexts.
Mein Großvater kam in den 60er Jahren als Gastarbeiter nach Deutschland.
My grandfather came to Germany in the 1960s as a guest worker.
The term 'Gastarbeiter' (guest worker) is considered outdated today and is perceived by many as distancing or even discriminatory. In modern everyday language, it is usually avoided.
Die Ausstellung dokumentiert das Leben der ersten Gastarbeiter in der Stadt.
The exhibition documents the lives of the first guest workers in the city.
