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GERMAN WORD OF THE DAY

German word of the day: Bürgerlich

This sometimes controversial word can be used positively or negatively, depending on your point of view.

German word of the day: Bürgerlich
Photo credit: Francesco Ungaro / Unsplash + Nicolas Raymond / flickr

What does bürgerlich mean?

The German word bürgerlich, which sounds like this, is an adjective that has different meanings depending on the context, but its primary meaning is “bourgeois” or “middle-class” when referring to social class or lifestyle. It can also be translated as “civil” or “civilian” when describing matters related to civil society or community engagement.

Where does it come from?

The word bürgerlich has its origins in the German noun Bürger, which means “citizen”.

Bürger is derived from the Middle High German term burc, meaning “fortified town” or “citadel.” Over time, the term Bürger evolved to refer to an inhabitant of a town or city, particularly someone with certain rights and privileges associated with citizenship.

The adjective bürgerlich emerged in the 18th and 19th centuries during the Enlightenment and the rise of the bourgeoisie and it became associated with the middle class, which at the time was made up of merchants, professionals, and educated people who were not part of the aristocracy or the lower working classes.

The term bürgerlich had connotations of civility, respectability, and adherence to societal norms, values, and conventions.

Nowadays, bürgerlich can be used to describe a range of attributes associated with the middle class, including values such as stability, responsibility, and a focus on individual achievement. It can also connote a traditional or conservative lifestyle. You. might spot it being used by the media in Austria when talking about politics

Some people in German-speaking countries proudly identify themselves as bürgerlich, while others view it as a derogatory term, perceiving being bürgerlich as being dull or arrogant. 

Bürgerliche Cuisine

The word bürgerlich often crops up in a culinary context, too. The gutbürgerliche Küche or bürgerliche Küche (“traditional” or “homestyle cuisine”) refers to a traditional cooking style and dishes that are commonly associated with the middle class and their culinary preferences.

Bürgerliche dishes are usually hearty and wholesome meals that are often prepared using locally available ingredients. Typical dishes found in the bürgerliche Küche include hearty soups like lentil soup or potato soup, meat-based dishes such as Sauerbraten (marinated pot roast), Schnitzel (breaded and fried meat cutlets), and Bratwurst (grilled or pan-fried sausages).

Use it like this

Ich glaube, das Theater ist bürgerlich.

I think that theatre is bourgeois.

Die Menus sind für eine gutbürgerliche Küche ausgelegt

The menus are designed for home-style cooking

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AUSTRIAN HABITS

Do Austrians still use the formal ‘Sie’ in German?

In Austria, addressing people with "Sie" has been a tradition for quite some time. However, has this tradition become more relaxed in recent years? And if so, how?

Do Austrians still use the formal 'Sie' in German?

In Austria, people have been using “Sie” as a formal way of addressing each other for decades, if not centuries.

Using “Sie” is deeply integrated with Austrian culture and has been passed down through generations as a sign of respect and politeness.

But even if “Sie” is still commonly used in Austria today, younger generations tend to use it less frequently than older ones, and the more informal “Du” is increasing in popularity, Vienna’s IKI language academy told The Local.

The ‘du’ form has gained popularity

In general, using “du” is accepted in less formal settings or when you know someone well.

Over time, the use of “Sie” has decreased in informal and semi-official contexts in Austria, according to the IKI language academy.

The informal “du” form has gained popularity, especially among younger people and in digital communication. In social media, informal meetings, and among friends, the “du” form is more commonly used.

Heike Ziehr, Head of the German Language Department at Sprachenzentrum in Vienna, also agreed that “du” is gaining popularity but added that he does not think it’s appropriate in certain situations.

“‘Du’ is spreading, in social media, leisure time, or at workshops. In the mountains, people always use “du” above 2,000 meters. Occasionally, students address me informally at the university, then I point out to them that it is not appropriate. Sometimes there is a high level of familiarity between teachers and students, and then “du” is often used. I do not recommend it in a professional context”, he said.

READ NEXT: How to explore the Austrian mountains in the summer like a local

Formal and official situations

How “Sie” is used among the different generations depends on the situation and who is involved in it.

“Sie” is mainly used in formal and official situations in Austria. You use “Sie” in conversations with strangers, in professional contexts, during official appointments, in stores, and generally in scenarios where respect and distance are expected to be maintained.

It is also common to address older people or those in higher positions with “Sie”, as a sign of respect and acknowledgement.

Some examples of situations where you are expected to use “Sie” include when you have a doctors appointment, in formal business settings such as meetings with customers, or in daily life situations where you engage with strangers, such as in restaurants or other service establishments, especially when speaking to staff members.

READ ALSO: EXPLAINED: Austria wants to define its fundamental culture but what is it?

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