Neanderthal
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Neanderthal
An extinct species or subspecies of the human genus that lived in Europe and parts of Asia until about 40,000 years ago. It is a close relative of modern humans.
Archäologen haben in einer Höhle gut erhaltene Werkzeuge der Neandertaler gefunden.
Archaeologists found well-preserved Neanderthal tools in a cave.
The name comes from the 'Neandertal' (Neander Valley), a valley in Germany. The first fossils of this human species were found there in the mid-19th century. The ending '-er' means 'someone from...'.
Das Museum im Neandertal zeigt die Geschichte der Neandertaler.
The museum in the Neander Valley shows the history of the Neanderthals.
You can easily distinguish the two meanings from context. If the topic is archaeology, evolution, or the Stone Age, it refers to the extinct human species. If the word describes a person's rude behavior in the present, it is an insult.
Forscher analysieren die DNA von Neandertalern.
Researchers are analyzing the DNA of Neanderthals.
When 'Neandertaler' (Neanderthal) refers to a modern person, it is always colloquial and derogatory. It expresses that someone is perceived as uncultured, crude, or primitive.
Schrei nicht so herum, du Neandertaler!
Don't shout like that, you Neanderthal!
As an insult, the word is often used in the fixed expression 'sich benehmen wie ein Neandertaler' (to behave like a Neanderthal). It describes crude or inconsiderate behavior.
Er drängelte sich vor, ohne sich zu entschuldigen. Er benimmt sich wie ein Neandertaler.
He pushed ahead without apologizing. He behaves like a Neanderthal.
barbarian
'der Barbar' and 'der Neandertaler' can both be used derogatorily for a crude or uncultured person. 'Barbar' refers more to crude, cruel, or uncultured behavior and also has a historical meaning. 'Neandertaler' is actually the name of an extinct human species. As an insult, it colloquially means someone portrayed as crude or mentally primitive. The risk of confusion lies in the fact that both words can be used as insults meaning 'primitive'. More precisely, however: 'Neandertaler' also has a scientific meaning, while 'Barbar' is more cultural or judgmental.
Im Museum lernten die Kinder, wie der Neandertaler in Europa lebte.
At the museum, the children learned how Neanderthals lived in Europe.
Nach dem Streit sagte Paul wütend, sein Nachbar benehme sich wie ein Barbar.
After the argument, Paul angrily said that his neighbor was behaving like a barbarian.