disadvantage / discrimination
Loading your saved state.
discrimination / disadvantage
The state in which a person or group is systematically treated worse than others or has fewer opportunities. This can occur in social, economic, or legal areas.
Das Gesetz soll die Benachteiligung von Frauen auf dem Arbeitsmarkt bekämpfen.
The law is intended to combat discrimination against women in the labor market.
The word belongs to a word family: 'der Nachteil' (the disadvantage) becomes the verb 'benachteiligen' (to disadvantage/discriminate against) with 'be-' and '-igen'. The ending '-ung' turns it into the noun 'die Benachteiligung' (disadvantage/discrimination).
Es ist verboten, Mitarbeiter wegen ihres Alters zu benachteiligen.
It is forbidden to discriminate against employees because of their age.
To form sentences with 'Benachteiligung' (disadvantage/discrimination), prepositions are important. With 'von' (of/against), you name the affected group; with 'durch' (by/through), the cause; and with 'in' or 'auf' (in/on), the area.
Die Benachteiligung von Älteren auf dem Wohnungsmarkt ist ein ernstes Problem.
The discrimination against older people in the housing market is a serious problem.
In the plural or with adjectives like 'sozial' (social) or 'strukturell' (structural), it usually refers to general, systematic injustice. With the article 'eine' (a/an), it often means a single, concrete disadvantage.
Strukturelle Benachteiligungen sind oft unsichtbar.
Structural disadvantages are often invisible.
'Benachteiligung' (disadvantage/discrimination) is often combined with verbs that express a fight or a change. Common combinations are 'Benachteiligung bekämpfen' (to fight disadvantage/discrimination), 'abbauen' (to reduce), or 'beseitigen' (to eliminate).
Die Organisation kämpft gegen die Benachteiligung von Minderheiten.
The organization fights against discrimination against minorities.
disadvantage
'Nachteil' and 'Benachteiligung' both have to do with an unfavorable situation. 'Nachteil' tends to name the bad side of something or the worse position in a comparison. 'Benachteiligung' emphasizes more strongly that someone is treated worse or given fewer opportunities. This can happen once in a specific situation or be longer-term and systematic. Learners may confuse the words because 'Benachteiligung' leads to a 'Nachteil'. When it is about the thing itself, 'Nachteil' often fits; when it is about unfair treatment of people or groups, 'Benachteiligung' is usually more appropriate.
Viele Eltern kritisieren, dass die Benachteiligung von Kindern aus armen Familien noch immer groß ist.
Many parents criticize the fact that discrimination against children from poor families is still widespread.
Der größte Nachteil des alten Autos ist der hohe Benzinverbrauch.
The biggest disadvantage of the old car is its high fuel consumption.