adjectiveadverb

konservativ

conservative

Jemand, der an alten Werten und Traditionen festhält und Veränderungen eher ablehnt.

Definition & meaning

The adjective konservativ is used in several contexts:

  1. Political/Ideological: It refers to someone who favors traditional views, values, and institutions, and is generally resistant to rapid or radical social and political change. It often implies a desire to preserve the status quo or return to established customs.
  2. General/Behavioral: It describes a person who is cautious, traditional, or restrained in their habits, clothing, or lifestyle. Someone who does not like to take risks or experiment with new, unconventional methods is considered conservative in their approach.
  3. Medical: In medicine, "konservative Behandlung" (conservative treatment) refers to non-invasive therapy. This means treating an ailment or injury through methods like medication, physical therapy, or observation rather than surgery.

Grammar & Word origin

  • Grammar: It is an adjective. When used before a noun, it follows standard German declension rules (e.g., ein konservativer Politiker, die konservative Einstellung).
  • Origin: The word is derived from the Latin conservare, which means "to preserve," "to keep," or "to save." It entered the German language via the French conservateur.

Synonyms & antonyms

Synonyms:

  • bewahrend (preserving)
  • traditionell (traditional)
  • reaktionär (reactionary - often used with a negative connotation in politics)
  • altmodisch (old-fashioned)
  • vorsichtig (cautious - specifically regarding the non-medical sense)

Antonyms:

  • fortschrittlich (progressive)
  • liberal (liberal)
  • modern (modern)
  • radikal (radical)
  • innovativ (innovative)
  • operativ (operative - used as the antonym in the medical context of treatment)

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Examples

Seine Ansichten sind eher konservativ.adjective

His views are rather conservative.

Die Partei vertritt eine konservative Politik.adjective

The party represents a conservative policy.

Politisch bevorzugt er eine konservative Linie.adjective

Politically, he prefers a conservative line.

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