contemporary witness
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contemporary witness
A person who personally lived through a specific historical event and can report on it from their own experience.
Für das Geschichtsprojekt interviewten die Schüler einen Zeitzeugen des Mauerfalls.
For the history project, the students interviewed a contemporary witness to the fall of the Berlin Wall.
The word is made up of 'Zeit' (time) and 'Zeuge' (witness). So it literally describes a person who was a witness to a certain period of time or a historical event.
Der Historiker sprach mit einem Zeitzeugen über seine Erlebnisse im Krieg.
The historian spoke with a contemporary witness about his experiences in the war.
To name the historical event that the person lived through, the genitive is usually used. Alternatively, 'von' + dative is also possible.
Er ist einer der letzten lebenden Zeitzeugen des Zweiten Weltkriegs.
He is one of the last living contemporary witnesses of the Second World War.
Common verbs used with 'Zeitzeuge' are 'einen Zeitzeugen befragen' (to question a contemporary witness) or 'interviewen' (to interview). The person themselves can 'als Zeitzeuge berichten' (report as a contemporary witness).
Die Journalistin hat für ihre Dokumentation mehrere Zeitzeugen interviewt.
The journalist interviewed several contemporary witnesses for her documentary.
The word is used specifically for people who lived through important historical events, not for everyday occurrences. It has a strong connection to history and journalism.
In der Schule erzählte ein Zeitzeuge von der Zeit der deutschen Teilung.
At school, a contemporary witness talked about the period of German division.
contemporary
Both words can refer to a person from a particular historical period. A Zeitgenosse is defined by having lived during the same era, without necessarily having experienced a specific event. A Zeitzeuge personally experienced the event and can report on it from firsthand experience.
Die Zeitzeugin hat die wichtige Schlacht selbst erlebt und berichtet heute darüber.
The contemporary witness personally experienced the important battle and talks about it today.
Der Schriftsteller war ein Zeitgenosse des Königs, erlebte aber dessen wichtigste Schlacht nicht.
The writer was a contemporary of the king but did not experience his most important battle.
