German NOUN C1 Rank 19867

die Hochkultur

advanced civilization / high culture

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Meanings

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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.

Visual example for Hochkultur: die Hochkultur

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

near_synonym · confusable

Hochkultur vs Kultur

culture

'die Kultur' and 'die Hochkultur' can both talk about art, knowledge, ways of life, and social development. 'Kultur' is the broad and neutral term. It can mean everyday life, values, music, literature, or theater. 'Hochkultur' is narrower. Historically, it refers to a highly developed ancient society, for example one with writing, cities, and science. In another sense, it means especially sophisticated art, such as classical music or literature. Learners may confuse the words because 'Hochkultur' is a special form of culture. For general statements, 'Kultur' is more natural; 'Hochkultur' fits when you really mean this special, developed culture or a culture considered sophisticated.

Hochkultur

Im Museum lernen die Kinder etwas über die Hochkultur der alten Ägypter.

At the museum, the children learn about the advanced civilization of the ancient Egyptians.

Kultur

Im Gespräch erzählte der Gast viel über die Kultur seines Landes.

During the conversation, the guest talked a lot about the culture of his country.

Open full lesson: Kultur →

In real life

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