zivil
civilian
Not belonging to the military; civilian.
EXAMPLE
Nach seiner Zeit bei der Armee trug er nur noch zivile Kleidung.
After his time in the army, he only wore civilian clothing.
zivil
civil / civilian
Checking...
Loading your saved state.
Meanings
zivil
civil
Relating to private law, as opposed to criminal law or public law.
EXAMPLE
In diesem Fall handelt es sich um eine zivile Klage auf Schadensersatz.
In this case, it is a civil lawsuit for damages.
zivil
civil
Decent, civilized, and polite in dealing with others.
EXAMPLE
Auch wenn wir unterschiedlicher Meinung sind, können wir doch einen zivilen Ton wahren.
Even if we have different opinions, we can still maintain a civil tone.
Usage tips
Word family
The adjective 'zivil' (civil/civilian) belongs to a word family related to civilian life. This also includes the noun 'der Zivilist' (a person who does not belong to the military) and 'die Zivilisation' (a high stage of social development).
EXAMPLE
Auch als Zivilist interessierte er sich weiterhin für militärische Themen.
Even as a civilian, he continued to be interested in military topics.
Context clue
You can often recognize the meaning “not military” from context. The word is frequently used as a direct contrast to anything connected with the military, police, or uniforms.
EXAMPLE
Nach dem Dienst zog der Polizist seine zivile Kleidung an.
After his shift, the police officer put on his civilian clothes.
Typical collocations
In connection with “not military,” 'zivil' (civilian) is often used for people or things. Typical combinations are 'die zivile Bevölkerung' (the civilian population), 'zivile Opfer' (civilian casualties), or 'zivile Nutzung' (civilian use) of a site.
EXAMPLE
Das ehemalige Militärgelände wird nun für zivile Zwecke genutzt.
The former military site is now used for civilian purposes.
Register and context
The meaning “relating to private law” is technical language from the legal field. You will find it in contexts involving courts, lawsuits, or laws.
EXAMPLE
Der Streit um den Gartenzaun führte zu einem zivilen Prozess.
The dispute over the garden fence led to a civil trial.
Typical collocations
When it is about polite interaction, 'zivil' (civil) is often combined with words that describe communication. Common phrases are 'ein ziviler Ton' (a civil tone) or 'ein ziviler Umgang' (civil interaction).
EXAMPLE
Bitte lasst uns diese Diskussion in einem zivilen Ton führen.
Please, let's have this discussion in a civil tone.
Compare with
zivil vs bürgerlich
middle-class / civil
Both words can refer to something nonmilitary. Zivil is the usual general term for this, while bürgerlich in this area places more emphasis on private rights and legal contexts. For a person or institution with no military connection, zivil is usually appropriate; in established legal expressions, bürgerlich may be more precise.
zivil
Die Hilfsorganisation ist eine zivile Einrichtung und gehört nicht zum Militär.
The aid organization is a civilian institution and does not belong to the military.
bürgerlich
Das Gericht verhandelte den bürgerlichen Streit zwischen den beiden Nachbarn.
The court heard the civil dispute between the two neighbors.
In real life
Loading video examples...