to disadvantage
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to disadvantage
To treat someone worse or more unfairly than others and thereby put them at a disadvantage or give them fewer opportunities.
Er fühlte sich von seinem Vorgesetzten systematisch benachteiligt.
He felt systematically disadvantaged by his supervisor.
The verb is derived from the noun 'der Nachteil' (the disadvantage). The prefix 'be-' and the ending '-igen' turn it into a verb that literally means to put someone at a disadvantage. It is inseparable.
Die neue Regelung benachteiligt vor allem kleine Unternehmen.
The new regulation disadvantages mainly small businesses.
This verb is very often used in the passive or in the reflexive form 'sich benachteiligt fühlen' (to feel disadvantaged) to describe the state of injustice from the perspective of the affected person.
Frauen werden in vielen Berufen immer noch finanziell benachteiligt.
Women are still financially disadvantaged in many professions.
To state the reason for the disadvantage, the prepositions 'wegen' (+ genitive) or the formulation 'aufgrund' (+ genitive) are often used.
Niemand darf wegen seiner Herkunft benachteiligt werden.
No one may be disadvantaged because of their background.
to discriminate
Benachteiligen and diskriminieren can both describe treating someone unfairly or giving them fewer opportunities. Diskriminieren usually emphasizes that a characteristic of a group is the reason for the treatment. Benachteiligen is more general and can also refer to a disadvantage without this connection.
Die neue Regel benachteiligt Menschen mit langen Arbeitswegen bei der Bewerbung.
The new rule disadvantages people with long commutes when they apply.
Die neue Regel diskriminiert Menschen wegen ihrer Herkunft bei der Bewerbung.
The new rule discriminates against people because of their origin when they apply.
