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Zeitgenosse

contemporary, person of the same era

noun TSAIT-geh-nos-eh Rare
Time Time Expressions

Usage Note

Zeitgenosse denotes someone who lives or lived in the same historical period. It can be neutral or slightly ironic — ein seltsamer Zeitgenosse ('a strange fellow') is a colloquial usage meaning an odd character, diverging from its literal sense.

Examples

"Als Zeitgenosse Goethes kannte er die Ideen der Weimarer Klassik aus erster Hand."

Natural Translation

As a contemporary of Goethe, he knew the ideas of Weimar Classicism first-hand.

Literal Translation

As a time-companion of Goethe, he knew the ideas of Weimar Classicism from first hand.

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