luxury
Loading your saved state.
luxury
Refers to expensive, non-essential goods, services, or an elaborate lifestyle that offers pleasure and comfort.
Eine Jacht und ein Privatjet sind für die meisten Menschen unvorstellbarer Luxus.
A yacht and a private jet are unimaginable luxury for most people.
luxury
In a figurative sense, something very pleasant or desirable that one can rarely afford or that is not taken for granted.
Bei meinem vollen Terminkalender ist ein freier Nachmittag schon ein echter Luxus.
With my packed schedule, a free afternoon is already a real luxury.
A very common expression is 'sich (Dativ) den Luxus leisten, etwas zu tun' (to allow oneself the luxury of doing something). It expresses that someone consciously treats themselves to something special or pleasant.
Heute leiste ich mir den Luxus, einfach mal nichts zu tun.
Today I am allowing myself the luxury of simply doing nothing for once.
'Luxus' (luxury) is often used as the first part of compound nouns to describe expensive and exclusive things, e.g. 'Luxusauto' (luxury car), 'Luxushotel' (luxury hotel), or 'Luxusartikel' (luxury item).
Sie haben ihren Urlaub in einem Luxushotel verbracht.
They spent their vacation in a luxury hotel.
In a figurative sense, 'Luxus' (luxury) is often used for simple but rare pleasures in everyday life. Typical examples are time, quiet, or a day off.
Eine Stunde ungestörte Ruhe ist für junge Eltern ein echter Luxus.
An hour of undisturbed quiet is a real luxury for young parents.
privilege
Both words can refer to a rare, pleasant opportunity. „Luxus“ emphasizes that one normally cannot afford something or that it is not something to be taken for granted, while a „Privileg“ highlights special availability to a particular person or group. Choose „Luxus“ when the emphasis is on the expense and „Privileg“ when it is on special access.
Ein Wochenende in diesem Hotel ist für mich ein Luxus, den ich mir selten leisten kann.
A weekend at this hotel is a luxury for me that I can rarely afford.
Ein Wochenende in diesem Hotel ist für die Gewinner des Wettbewerbs ein Privileg, weil nur sie dort kostenlos wohnen dürfen.
A weekend at this hotel is a privilege for the contest winners because they are the only ones allowed to stay there for free.
