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Relating to the Orient (the Near and Middle East as well as parts of Asia) or typical of this region. The term is often used to describe culture, art, music, or cuisine and can have an exotic or traditional connotation.
Auf dem Markt gab es einen Stand mit orientalischen Süßigkeiten wie Baklava und Halva.
At the market there was a stall with oriental sweets like baklava and halva.
The adjective 'oriental' is derived directly from the noun 'der Orient' (the Orient). The Orient traditionally refers to the countries of the Near and Middle East.
Ihre Wohnung ist mit vielen Möbeln aus dem Orient eingerichtet.
Her apartment is furnished with many pieces of furniture from the Orient.
The adjective is often used to describe cultural products. Common combinations are 'orientalische Musik' (oriental music), 'orientalische Gewürze' (oriental spices), 'orientalischer Tanz' (oriental dance), or 'orientalische Muster' (oriental patterns).
Ich liebe den Duft von orientalischen Gewürzen auf dem Basar.
I love the smell of oriental spices at the bazaar.
The word 'oriental' often evokes a romantic or stereotypical idea associated with fairy tales, magnificent palaces, and exotic scents. It can therefore sometimes be perceived as clichéd.
Das Hotel war in einem opulenten, orientalischen Stil dekoriert.
The hotel was decorated in an opulent, oriental style.
Arabic
'arabisch' and 'oriental' can both appear in topics such as culture, music, art, or food. 'arabisch' is more precise and refers to the Arab world, its people, or its culture. 'oriental' is broader and often less precise; it can mean the Near and Middle East as well as parts of Asia, and it often suggests a style or a traditional effect. Learners may confuse the words because the areas partly overlap. For exact origin or language, 'arabisch' is better. For a style, for example in music or interior design, 'oriental' often fits.
Bei meinen Eltern gab es Tee mit orientalischen Gewürzen.
At my parents' house, there was tea with oriental spices.
Der Verkäufer empfiehlt mir ein Buch über arabische Geschichte.
The bookseller recommends a book about Arab history to me.