German word

zivil

Pronunciation

IPA/tsiˈviːl/

Meaning

  • adjectiveprivate

Example

Er arbeitet in einer zivilen Firma.

He works for a private company.

Illustration for zivil (private)

More examples

Viele Menschen zeigen ziviles Engagement in ihrer Gemeinde.

Many people show civic engagement in their community.

Core concept

A person or setting in ordinary public life, outside uniforms, official authority, and military structures.

Common phrases

  • ziviles Engagement

    civic engagement

  • zivile Streitigkeiten

    civil disputes

  • zivile Infrastruktur

    civilian infrastructure

Similar words

privat: Relating to an individual's personal affairs, possessions, or private life.
staatlich: Belonging to or administered by the state or a public authority.
militärisch: Relating to the armed forces, military service, or warfare.
bürgerlich: Relating to ordinary civic life and traditional social values.

Definition in German

Von Bürgern getragen oder für Bürger bestimmt, also nicht amtlich oder militärisch

Word origin

German zivil comes through French civil from Latin civilis, meaning related to citizens or civic life.

Usage tips

  • Unlike privat, zivil often contrasts with military or official status, so zivile Kleidung usually means plain clothes rather than personally owned clothes.

Other meanings

  • civiladjective
  • plainclothesadjective

Opposites

Related words

Word lists with this word