downplaying / trivialization
Loading your saved state.
downplaying / trivialization
The act or process of presenting a matter, problem, or action as less serious, dangerous, or significant than it really is.
Die Verharmlosung von Alltagsrassismus ist ein weit verbreitetes Problem.
The downplaying of everyday racism is a widespread problem.
The word is the nominalization of the verb 'verharmlosen' (to downplay/trivialize). This is derived from the adjective 'harmlos' (harmless), which means 'without harm' or 'not causing damage'. A 'Verharmlosung' (downplaying/trivialization) is therefore the act of presenting something as harmless.
Er wurde für die Verharmlosung der Risiken stark kritisiert.
He was strongly criticized for downplaying the risks.
To express what is being downplayed, German usually uses the genitive or the preposition 'von' (of). The genitive construction is very common in written language.
Die Verharmlosung der Gefahr führte zu dem Unfall.
The downplaying of the danger led to the accident.
'Verharmlosung' (downplaying/trivialization) is often used in critical contexts. Typical verbs are 'jemandem Verharmlosung vorwerfen' (to accuse someone of downplaying something), 'etwas als Verharmlosung kritisieren' (to criticize something as trivialization), or 'gegen die Verharmlosung kämpfen' (to fight against the trivialization).
Die Opposition warf der Regierung eine Verharmlosung der Klimakrise vor.
The opposition accused the government of downplaying the climate crisis.
relativization
Both words refer to a weakening of the meaning or seriousness of something. Verharmlosung implies that something is presented as inappropriately less serious than it really is. Relativierung places it in a broader context and can thereby limit its evaluation without being misleading.
Die Behauptung, der Angriff sei nur ein kleiner Streit gewesen, ist eine Verharmlosung der Tat.
The claim that the attack was just a minor argument is a trivialization of the act.
Der Hinweis auf den vorherigen Angriff führte zu einer Relativierung der Bewertung dieser Tat.
Pointing out the previous attack led to a relativization of the assessment of this act.
