weighing up / consideration
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weighing up
The process of carefully examining and comparing different factors, interests, or arguments in order to reach a well-founded decision or judgment.
Nach sorgfältiger Abwägung aller Risiken hat sich das Unternehmen gegen die Investition entschieden.
After carefully weighing up all the risks, the company decided against the investment.
The noun 'die Abwägung' (the weighing up) comes from the verb 'abwägen' (to weigh up). 'Wägen' means 'to weigh'. So, figuratively, you weigh arguments or options against one another in order to make a decision.
Man muss die Vor- und Nachteile gut gegeneinander abwägen.
You have to carefully weigh up the pros and cons against each other.
The phrases 'nach reiflicher Abwägung' (after due consideration) or 'nach sorgfältiger Abwägung' (after careful consideration) are used very often. This expression often introduces the sentence that communicates the final decision.
Nach sorgfältiger Abwägung haben wir uns für diesen Kandidaten entschieden.
After careful consideration, we decided in favor of this candidate.
To describe what is being compared, the prepositions 'von' (of) or 'zwischen' (between) are often used. The structure is 'die Abwägung von + dative (plural)' or 'die Abwägung zwischen + dative'.
Die Abwägung der verschiedenen Interessen war schwierig.
Weighing up the different interests was difficult.
comparison / settlement
'der Vergleich' (comparison) and 'die Abwägung' (weighing up / consideration) can both mean that you examine different things. In a 'Vergleich', you mainly look at similarities and differences between things, people, or options. With 'Abwägung', the focus is more on a decision: you examine advantages and disadvantages, reasons, or interests and consider what is more important. The words can be confused because weighing something up often includes a comparison. If you only want to show differences, 'Vergleich' fits. If you want to decide or judge afterward, 'Abwägung' is more precise.
Nach sorgfältiger Abwägung entscheidet sich Mehmet gegen den neuen Job.
After careful consideration, Mehmet decides against the new job.
Für den Vergleich der Wohnungen notiert Lisa die Miete, die Lage und die Größe.
For the comparison of the apartments, Lisa notes the rent, location, and size.