cultured / cultivated
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cultured
Describes a person who is educated, has good manners, and has refined taste in art and culture.
Er ist ein sehr kultivierter Mann, mit dem man sich gut unterhalten kann.
He is a very cultured man, and he is easy to have a good conversation with.
cultivated
Refers to land that has been made usable for agriculture and is farmed. It is the opposite of wild or untouched land.
Dieses Tal war früher Sumpf, aber die Bauern haben das Land kultiviert.
This valley used to be swamp, but the farmers cultivated the land.
cultivated
Refers to plants or microorganisms that are deliberately bred or grown in a laboratory under controlled conditions.
Diese Orchidee ist eine speziell kultivierte Sorte, die es nicht in der freien Natur gibt.
This orchid is a specially cultivated variety that does not exist in the wild.
The adjective 'kultiviert' (cultured/cultivated) is the past participle of the verb 'kultivieren' (to cultivate). This origin explains the different meanings: something—a person, a piece of land, a plant—has been brought into a refined or usable state through work and care.
Die Bauern kultivieren auf diesen Feldern seit Jahrhunderten Wein.
Farmers have been cultivating wine grapes in these fields for centuries.
You can always recognize the exact meaning of 'kultiviert' (cultured/cultivated) from the noun it describes. If it refers to a person, it means educated and well-mannered. If it refers to land or plants, it means farmed or bred/cultivated.
Sie führt einen sehr kultivierten Lebensstil.
She leads a very cultured lifestyle.
When a person is being described, 'kultiviert' (cultured) is often found in combinations such as 'kultivierte Umgangsformen' (cultured/refined manners), 'ein kultiviertes Gespräch' (a cultured conversation), or 'ein kultiviertes Auftreten' (a refined manner/appearance). It emphasizes education and good behavior.
Trotz der hitzigen Debatte blieb die Diskussion stets kultiviert.
Despite the heated debate, the discussion always remained cultured.
cultural
Kulturell expresses only a connection with culture, art, or a society’s cultural achievements. Kultiviert, by contrast, describes an educated person with good manners and refined taste. Use kulturell for interests or offerings; use kultiviert for a person’s education and manner.
Nora wirkt durch ihre Bildung und höflichen Umgangsformen kultiviert.
Nora comes across as cultured because of her education and polite manners.
Nora nimmt aktiv am kulturellen Leben der Stadt teil.
Nora takes an active part in the city’s cultural life.
