German word

Neuzeit

Pronunciation

IPA/ˈnɔʏ̯t͡saɪ̯t/

Meaning

  • feminine nounmodern era

Example

Viele Erfindungen stammen aus der Neuzeit.

Many inventions date from the modern era.

Illustration for Neuzeit (modern era)

More examples

Die Wissenschaft in der Neuzeit entwickelte sich rasant.

Science in the modern era evolved rapidly.

Core concept

A long historical era in which medieval institutions give way to exploration, reform, science, and industry.

Common phrases

  • in der Neuzeit

    in the modern era

  • Anfang der Neuzeit

    beginning of the modern era

Similar words

Moderne: The era when industry and technological advances formed modern social structures and lifestyles.
Gegenwart: The present time, including the period immediately around now.
Mittelalter: The medieval period when feudal lords and the church held central authority in the West.

Definition in German

Eine historische Epoche, die nach dem Mittelalter beginnt und durch Entdeckungen, Reformen und Industrialisierung den Übergang zu modernen Gesellschaften kennzeichnet.

Word origin

Neuzeit combines the German words neu, meaning new, and Zeit, meaning time or era, and names the period understood as newer than the Mittelalter.

Usage tips

  • Neuzeit is a historical period, not simply the present day; Gegenwart refers more directly to the current time.

Opposites

Related words

  • neuzeitlichmodernadjective
  • Neuzeitlichkeitmodernitynoun

Word lists with this word