英语词源
zeitgeist 时代精神
zeitgeist是一个合成词，来自 zeit + geist ，前半部分的 zeit 对应英文中的 time 、 tide ，至于 z-t 之间的音变如：英文中的 twig 树枝对应的德语中的姓氏 Zweig 茨威格，英语中的 twin 对应德语中的 Zwilling 双立人；而 geist （精神）与 ghost （幽灵、鬼怪）同源， ghost 在古语中的含义就是：精神、灵魂。
深度学习
zeitgeist (ZITE guyst) From the German words for “spirit” and “time,” this word means “spirit of the age” or the taste and outlook that is characteristic of a particular time period or generation.
- Willy Loman’s aspirations to be a successful salesman were typical of the post-World War II zeitgeist; his goals were to pay off the mortgage on his house, support his wife and family, and raise two ambitious sons.
- “Online dating is part of the zeitgeist,” reflected Professor Brown. “We are a generation that believes that all of our needs can be met by the internet.”
——摘自《Fiske WordPower: The Most Effective System for Building a Vocabulary That Gets Results Fast》
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时代精神（ZITE guyst）从德语中“精神”和“时间”的意思来看，这个词的意思是“时代的精神”或特定时期或特定世代的品味和观点。
- 威利·洛曼渴望成为一名成功的推销员，这是二战后时代精神的典型代表；他的目标是还清房子的抵押贷款，养活妻子和家人，并抚养两个雄心勃勃的儿子
- “网上约会是时代精神的一部分，”布朗教授反思道。“我们这一代人相信，我们所有的需求都可以通过互联网来满足。”
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