to discriminate
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to discriminate
To disadvantage or treat someone or a group of people unfairly because of characteristics such as origin, skin color, gender, religion, or sexual orientation.
Es ist gesetzlich verboten, Bewerber wegen ihres Alters zu diskriminieren.
It is illegal to discriminate against applicants because of their age.
Verbs that end in '-ieren' often come from Latin or French. They are conjugated regularly and form the past participle without 'ge-', so 'hat diskriminiert' (has discriminated).
Er hat sich im Beruf noch nie diskriminiert gefühlt.
He has never felt discriminated against at work.
The corresponding noun is 'die Diskriminierung' (discrimination). The adjective that describes something or someone that disadvantages others is 'diskriminierend' (discriminatory).
Diskriminierung am Arbeitsplatz ist ein ernstes Problem.
Discrimination in the workplace is a serious problem.
When someone is discriminated against, the reason is usually given with 'wegen' (because of; + genitive or dative) or 'aufgrund von' (on the basis of; + dative).
Niemand darf wegen seiner Herkunft diskriminiert werden.
No one may be discriminated against because of their origin.
The meaning 'unterscheiden' (to distinguish) is very rare and is used almost only in scientific or technical specialist texts. In normal usage, 'diskriminieren' (to discriminate) always means 'to disadvantage unfairly.'
Der Sensor kann präzise zwischen Wärme und Licht diskriminieren.
The sensor can discriminate precisely between heat and light.
to follow / pursue
'verfolgen' and 'diskriminieren' can both mean that people are treated unfairly, for example because of their religion, origin, or political opinion. 'diskriminieren' fits when someone is disadvantaged or treated worse. This can happen in everyday life, at school, at work, or through rules. 'verfolgen' is stronger and means systematic oppression or threat, often by a group or a state. Learners may confuse the words because both have to do with injustice. As a guide: for disadvantage or unequal treatment, you usually say 'diskriminieren'; for a strong and targeted threat, 'verfolgen' is more likely.
Der Vermieter darf niemanden wegen seiner Herkunft diskriminieren.
The landlord may not discriminate against anyone because of their origin.
In diesem Land wurden Menschen wegen ihrer politischen Meinung verfolgt.
In this country, people were persecuted because of their political opinions.