zeitgeist
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zeitgeist
The way of thinking and feeling characteristic of a particular era; the prevailing intellectual currents, ideas, and attitudes of a time.
Die minimalistische Architektur der 1990er Jahre spiegelt perfekt den damaligen Zeitgeist wider.
The minimalist architecture of the 1990s perfectly reflects the zeitgeist of that time.
The word is made up of 'Zeit' (time) and 'Geist' (spirit/mind). So it literally means the 'spirit of a time' and describes the typical mindset of an era.
Die Mode der 70er Jahre fängt den rebellischen Zeitgeist perfekt ein.
The fashion of the 70s perfectly captures the rebellious zeitgeist.
'Zeitgeist' (zeitgeist) is often used with verbs that express agreement or reflection. Typical phrases are 'den Zeitgeist treffen' (to capture the zeitgeist), 'dem Zeitgeist entsprechen' (to be in keeping with the zeitgeist), or 'den Zeitgeist widerspiegeln' (to reflect the zeitgeist).
Mit diesem Produkt hat die Firma genau den Zeitgeist getroffen.
With this product, the company captured the zeitgeist exactly.
This word belongs more to elevated or educated vocabulary. It is often found in texts about culture, history, art, or sociology.
In ihrem Essay analysiert sie den Zeitgeist der Weimarer Republik.
In her essay, she analyzes the zeitgeist of the Weimar Republic.
mainstream
Mainstream refers to the taste or opinion shared by the great majority. Zeitgeist, by contrast, describes the typical way of thinking and feeling in a particular era, even if it is not accepted by everyone. Use Mainstream for majority taste and Zeitgeist for a prevailing mood that characterizes an era.
Die Filme der Epoche spiegeln den Zeitgeist mit ihrer Begeisterung für technische Zukunftsideen wider.
The films of the era reflect the zeitgeist through their enthusiasm for ideas about the technological future.
Die neue Musik ist inzwischen im Mainstream angekommen und wird von vielen Menschen gehört.
The new music has now entered the mainstream and is listened to by many people.
