German NOUN C1 Rank 19877

die Hochkultur

advanced civilization / high culture

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Meanings

die Hochkultur

advanced civilization

A society characterized by a high degree of organization, complexity, and development, especially with regard to writing, urban planning, art, and science. The term is often used for early advanced civilizations such as those of the Egyptians or Romans.

EXAMPLE

Die Entwicklung der Schrift war ein entscheidender Schritt für die Entstehung der antiken Hochkulturen.

The development of writing was a decisive step in the emergence of ancient advanced civilizations.

die Hochkultur

high culture

The totality of a society's cultural works and forms of expression considered especially valuable and sophisticated, such as classical music, literature, theater, and fine art. It is often distinguished from popular or everyday culture.

EXAMPLE

Manche Kritiker werfen den staatlichen Theatern vor, sich nur auf die Hochkultur zu konzentrieren und ein breites Publikum zu ignorieren.

Some critics accuse state theaters of focusing only on high culture and ignoring a broad audience.

Usage tips

Word composition

The word is composed of 'hoch' (high) and 'Kultur' (culture). It describes a culture that is considered especially highly developed historically or of high quality artistically.

EXAMPLE

Die Maya waren eine Hochkultur mit erstaunlichen Kenntnissen in Astronomie.

The Maya were an advanced civilization with astonishing knowledge of astronomy.

Context clue

You can recognize the historical meaning from words like 'antik' (ancient), 'Ägypter' (Egyptians), 'Römer' (Romans), or 'Untergang' (decline/fall). You can recognize the artistic meaning from terms like 'Oper' (opera), 'Theater' (theater), 'Literatur' (literature), or from the contrast with 'Popkultur' (pop culture).

EXAMPLE

Wenn man über die Ägypter spricht, meint man eine antike Zivilisation.

When people talk about the Egyptians, they mean an ancient civilization.

Typical collocations

In a historical context, people often speak of the 'Entstehung' (emergence) or 'Untergang' (decline/fall) of a Hochkultur (advanced civilization). The specific culture is also often named, e.g. 'die Hochkultur der Inka' (the advanced civilization of the Inca).

EXAMPLE

Der Untergang der römischen Hochkultur war ein langer Prozess.

The decline of Roman advanced civilization was a long process.

Use in discourse

In this meaning, 'Hochkultur' (high culture) is often used as the opposite of 'Popkultur' (pop culture), 'Massenkultur' (mass culture), or 'Alltagskultur' (everyday culture) in order to distinguish different cultural spheres.

EXAMPLE

Die Debatte, ob Videospiele zur Hochkultur gehören, ist noch nicht entschieden.

The debate about whether video games belong to high culture has not yet been settled.

Compare with

Kultur Zivilisation

confusable

Hochkultur vs Kultur

culture

Kultur is the general term for artistic achievements and forms of expression. Hochkultur refers to an area considered especially valuable and sophisticated, often distinguished from popular or everyday culture. Use Kultur in general, and Hochkultur when this special evaluation is intended.

Hochkultur

Das Opernhaus gilt als wichtiger Ort der Hochkultur und zeigt anspruchsvolle klassische Werke.

The opera house is considered an important center of high culture and presents sophisticated classical works.

Kultur

Die Kultur der Stadt umfasst Museen, Konzerte, Romane und Theater.

The city's culture includes museums, concerts, novels, and theater.

Open full word page: Kultur

In real life

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