compensation
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compensation
Financial or material compensation for damage, loss, disadvantage, or injustice suffered.
Die Passagiere erhielten für den ausgefallenen Flug eine Entschädigung.
The passengers received compensation for the canceled flight.
The word is derived from 'der Schaden' (damage/loss). The prefix 'ent-' here means 'to remove' or 'to balance out'. So an 'Entschädigung' (compensation) is meant to symbolically or financially 'remove' damage that has been suffered.
Für den Wasserschaden in der Wohnung zahlte die Versicherung eine Entschädigung.
The insurance company paid compensation for the water damage in the apartment.
To name the reason for the compensation, you use the preposition 'für' (for) with the accusative. To name the source of the compensation, you use 'von' (from) with the dative.
Er bekam eine Entschädigung für das verlorene Gepäck.
He received compensation for the lost luggage.
'Entschädigung' (compensation) is often combined with certain verbs. You can 'fordern' (demand), 'beantragen' (apply for), 'erhalten' (receive), or 'bekommen' (get) compensation. A company or person can 'zahlen' (pay) or 'leisten' (provide) compensation.
Die Anwohner fordern eine Entschädigung für den Baulärm.
The residents are demanding compensation for the construction noise.
'Die Entschädigung' (compensation) is a rather formal word that is often used in legal, official, or business contexts. In everyday conversation among friends, people would more likely speak of 'ein Ausgleich' (compensation/balance) or 'eine Wiedergutmachung' (reparation).
Im Vertrag ist genau geregelt, wann ein Anspruch auf Entschädigung besteht.
The contract specifies exactly when there is a claim to compensation.
replacement / compensation
Both words can refer to compensation for a loss. Ersatz can also mean a specific new thing, while Entschädigung emphasizes the financial or material compensation itself. Ersatz is suitable when something is replaced; Entschädigung is more precise when referring to a compensation payment.
Für den verlorenen Koffer erhielt ich eine finanzielle Entschädigung.
I received financial compensation for the lost suitcase.
Für den verlorenen Koffer bekam ich Ersatz in Form eines neuen Koffers.
I received a replacement for the lost suitcase in the form of a new one.
