materialism
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materialism
An attitude to life in which material possessions, wealth, and external values are seen as the most important things. The term is often used negatively.
Kritiker werfen der modernen Gesellschaft einen übertriebenen Materialismus vor.
Critics accuse modern society of excessive materialism.
The ending '-ismus' (-ism) indicates a worldview, a doctrine, or an attitude to life. When you see this ending, it is often about a system of ideas or beliefs.
Der Kapitalismus ist ein Wirtschaftssystem, das auf Privateigentum basiert.
Capitalism is an economic system based on private property.
The word family includes the adjective 'materialistisch' (materialistic), as in 'eine materialistische Einstellung' (a materialistic attitude), and the person 'der Materialist' (male materialist) or 'die Materialistin' (female materialist).
Er führt einen sehr materialistischen Lebensstil.
He leads a very materialistic lifestyle.
You can recognize the meaning from context. If it is about criticism of consumption and society, the attitude to life is meant. In texts about philosophy or science, the philosophical doctrine is meant, often with additions like 'dialektisch' (dialectical) or 'historisch' (historical).
Seine Kritik am Materialismus der westlichen Welt ist sehr deutlich.
His criticism of the materialism of the Western world is very clear.
realism
'der Realismus' and 'der Materialismus' can be confused because both end in '-ismus' and both appear in philosophy. In everyday language, however, they are clearly different. 'Realismus' means a sober view of facts and possibilities. 'Materialismus' often means an attitude in which money, possessions, and external things are considered too important. In philosophy, 'Realismus' is the assumption that the external world exists independently of us. 'Materialismus', on the other hand, says that everything goes back to matter. For everyday language, the rule is: Realismus has to do with a sense of reality, while Materialismus has to do with possessions or with matter.
Wir sprechen oft über Materialismus, weil manche nur noch auf teure Marken achten.
We often talk about materialism because some people only care about expensive brands now.
Am Telefon sagt sie mit Realismus, dass die Reise heute zu teuer wird.
On the phone, she says realistically that the trip will be too expensive today.