der Zeitgenosse
contemporary
A person who lives or lived in the same historical era as another person.
EXAMPLE
Goethe und Napoleon waren Zeitgenossen.
Goethe and Napoleon were contemporaries.
der Zeitgenosse
contemporary
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Meanings
der Zeitgenosse
person / fellow
A fellow human being of the present day, often used together with a characterizing quality.
EXAMPLE
Er ist ein eher ruhiger und zurückhaltender Zeitgenosse.
He is a rather quiet and reserved person.
Usage tips
Compound structure
The word is made up of 'Zeit' (time) and 'Genosse' (comrade, companion). A 'Zeitgenosse' is therefore literally a 'companion in time'.
EXAMPLE
Als Zeitgenossen erlebten sie dieselben historischen Ereignisse.
As contemporaries, they experienced the same historical events.
Common mistake: N-declension
'Zeitgenosse' is a noun of the N-declension. This means it takes the ending '-n' in all cases except the nominative singular.
EXAMPLE
Ich habe einen Artikel über einen Zeitgenossen von Mozart gelesen.
I read an article about a contemporary of Mozart.
Word family
The adjective 'zeitgenössisch' (contemporary) is derived from 'Zeitgenosse' (contemporary). It means 'originating from the same time' or 'modern'.
EXAMPLE
Die Ausstellung zeigt zeitgenössische Kunst aus Berlin.
The exhibition shows contemporary art from Berlin.
Use with an adjective
In the meaning of 'fellow human being' or 'person', 'Zeitgenosse' is almost always used with an adjective that characterizes the person. It often sounds slightly distant or formal.
EXAMPLE
Er gilt als ein sehr kritischer Zeitgenosse.
He is considered a very critical person.
Compare with
Zeitgenosse vs Mitmensch
fellow human being
Mitmensch and Zeitgenosse can both refer to another person living today. Mitmensch emphasizes social or ethical connection, while Zeitgenosse often characterizes a person with a particular quality and can sound more detached. Mitmensch is suitable for expressing compassion, while Zeitgenosse is often used for a characterization.
Zeitgenosse
Paul gilt unter seinen Nachbarn als hilfsbereiter Zeitgenosse.
Paul is considered a helpful fellow among his neighbors.
Mitmensch
Paul hilft seinen Mitmenschen, wenn sie im Alltag Unterstützung brauchen.
Paul helps his fellow human beings when they need support in everyday life.
In real life
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