luxury class / upper class
Loading your saved state.
luxury class
A product category associated with the highest luxury, best quality, and most advanced technology, especially in automobiles.
Der neue Mercedes gehört zur automobilen Oberklasse und konkurriert mit BMW und Audi.
The new Mercedes belongs to the automotive luxury class and competes with BMW and Audi.
The word is made up of the prefix 'ober-' (uppermost, highest) and the noun 'Klasse' (class). So it always refers to the highest category, whether for products or in society.
Dieses Hotel gehört zur absoluten Oberklasse.
This hotel belongs to the absolute luxury class.
The meaning becomes clear from the context. If the topic is products, technology, or luxury goods (e.g. cars, hotels), the product category is meant. If the topic is people, wealth, or social status, the social stratum is meant.
Die Limousine konkurriert mit anderen Fahrzeugen der Oberklasse.
The limousine competes with other luxury-class vehicles.
In a product context, especially with cars, people speak of the 'automobile Oberklasse' (automotive luxury class) or a 'Fahrzeug der Oberklasse' (luxury-class vehicle). Typical verbs are 'gehören zu' (to belong to) or 'spielen in' (to play in / be in).
Der neue Sportwagen spielt in der preislichen Oberklasse.
The new sports car is in the upper price segment.
In a social context, the adjective 'gesellschaftlich' (social) is often added: 'die gesellschaftliche Oberklasse' (the social upper class). Typical verbs are 'angehören' (to belong to), 'zählen zu' (to be counted among), or 'stammen aus' (to come from).
Er stammt aus der finanziellen Oberklasse der Stadt.
He comes from the financial upper class of the city.
elite
'die Elite' and 'die Oberklasse' can both refer to groups with a lot of influence and high status. However, 'die Elite' usually refers to exceptional achievement, power, or influence in a particular field, for example in politics, research, or business. 'die Oberklasse' more often means the highest social class in a society, often with a lot of money and high status. The words can be confused because both sound like they are about being “at the top” of society. In practice: when talking about ability or influence in a field, 'Elite' fits; when talking about social class and wealth, 'Oberklasse' is more appropriate.
Die Oberklasse lebte früher oft in großen Häusern außerhalb der Stadt.
In the past, the upper class often lived in large houses outside the city.
In diesem Labor arbeitet die Elite der Krebsforschung.
The elite of cancer research works in this laboratory.