disadvantage / discrimination
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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.
disadvantage
A concrete disadvantage or unfavorable condition that puts someone in a worse position in a specific situation.
Die späte Startnummer war für den Läufer eine klare Benachteiligung.
The late starting number was a clear disadvantage for the runner.
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
Both words can refer to an unfavorable condition or consequence. Der Nachteil is the neutral term for a negative aspect, while die Benachteiligung emphasizes more strongly that someone is put at a disadvantage as a result. Use Nachteil for the circumstance and Benachteiligung for the affected person or group.
Die Benachteiligung der kleineren Gruppe zeigte sich bei der Vergabe der Plätze.
The smaller group was disadvantaged when the places were allocated.
Der Nachteil dieser Wohnung ist, dass sie weit vom Bahnhof entfernt liegt.
The disadvantage of this apartment is that it is far from the train station.
