world history / big deal
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world history
The entire history of humanity on Earth, including all cultures, eras, and global connections.
Die Erfindung des Buchdrucks hat den Lauf der Weltgeschichte nachhaltig verändert.
The invention of the printing press permanently changed the course of world history.
The word is a simple compound of 'die Welt' (the world) and 'die Geschichte' (history). So it literally means the history of the whole world.
Manche Erfindungen haben die Weltgeschichte für immer verändert.
Some inventions have changed world history forever.
In the historical meaning, the word is often used in fixed phrases, for example 'in die Weltgeschichte eingehen' (to go down in world history) or 'den Lauf der Weltgeschichte verändern' (to change the course of world history).
Mit seiner Entdeckung ist er in die Weltgeschichte eingegangen.
With his discovery, he went down in world history.
The colloquial meaning is often used in the expression 'eine Weltgeschichte aus etwas machen' (to make a big deal out of something). It means that someone is making a small problem unnecessarily complicated or important.
Er hat nur seinen Stift verloren, aber er macht eine Weltgeschichte daraus.
He only lost his pen, but he's making a big deal out of it.
story / history
'die Geschichte' and 'die Weltgeschichte' can both refer to the past. 'Geschichte' is the general term for past events or the subject at school. 'Weltgeschichte' is much broader and means the history of all humanity, with many countries, cultures, and eras. Colloquially, 'Weltgeschichte' can also be used exaggeratingly when someone says that something is not so important. Learners may confuse the words because 'Weltgeschichte' seems like a stronger form of 'Geschichte'. For normal events or a single country, 'Geschichte' usually fits best. For global connections, 'Weltgeschichte' fits.
Eine kleine Verspätung ist keine Weltgeschichte, also bleib ruhig.
A small delay is not a big deal, so stay calm.
Ich interessiere mich besonders für die Geschichte meiner Heimatstadt.
I am especially interested in the history of my hometown.