fair – fairer – am fairsten
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Just, decent, and in accordance with the rules. It describes behavior that does not unfairly disadvantage or favor anyone.
Trotz der Niederlage gratulierte sie ihrer Gegnerin als faire Verliererin.
Despite the defeat, she congratulated her opponent like a fair loser.
With regard to a price, amount, or evaluation: appropriate, reasonable, or acceptable.
Für die Qualität des Produkts ist das ein sehr fairer Preis.
For the quality of the product, that's a very fair price.
Refers to light skin or hair color. This meaning is borrowed from English and is used less commonly.
Mit ihrem fairen Teint und den blonden Haaren fiel sie sofort auf.
With her fair complexion and blond hair, she stood out immediately.
| basic form | fair |
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| comparative | fairer |
| superlative | am fairsten |
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Add the ending to fair.
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| nom. | -er | -e | -es | -en |
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Add the ending to fair.
| masc. | fem. | neut. | plural | |
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| nom. | -er | -e | -es | -e |
| acc. | -en | -e | -es | -e |
| dat. | -em | -er | -em | -en |
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Add the ending to fair.
The two main meanings of 'fair' can be distinguished well from context. If it is about behavior, rules, or sports, it means 'gerecht' (fair/just). If it is about money, trade, or prices, it means 'angemessen' (reasonable/fair).
Er ist ein harter, aber immer fairer Gegner.
He is a tough but always fair opponent.
10 Euro für dieses T-Shirt ist ein fairer Preis.
10 euros for this T-shirt is a fair price.
When you want to describe that someone behaves fairly toward a person, German often uses the preposition 'zu' followed by the dative.
Der Chef versucht, zu allen Mitarbeitern fair zu sein.
The boss tries to be fair to all employees.
Sei fair zu deinem Bruder und teile die Schokolade.
Be fair to your brother and share the chocolate.
In the context of behavior and rules, 'fair' is often combined with nouns such as 'Spiel' (game), 'Wettbewerb' (competition), 'Kampf' (fight), or 'Verlierer' (loser). The phrase 'sich fair verhalten' (to behave fairly) is also very common.
Das war ein faires Spiel ohne Fouls.
That was a fair game without fouls.
Es ist wichtig, sich im Wettbewerb fair zu verhalten.
It is important to behave fairly in competition.
When it is about appropriateness, 'fair' often stands before nouns that describe a value or exchange. Typical examples are 'fairer Preis' (fair price), 'faires Angebot' (fair offer), or 'faire Bezahlung' (fair pay).
Das Unternehmen ist für seine faire Bezahlung bekannt.
The company is known for its fair pay.
Er hat mir ein faires Angebot für mein altes Auto gemacht.
He made me a fair offer for my old car.
The meaning 'light-skinned' is a direct borrowing from English and is very rare in German. It is used almost only in the language of fashion, cosmetics, or literature to express a particular style.
Die Werbung richtete sich an Frauen mit einem fairen Teint.
The advertisement was aimed at women with a fair complexion.
fair / just
„Fair“ and „gerecht“ both describe treatment that does not unfairly disadvantage anyone. „Fair“ tends to emphasize rules, equal opportunities, and proper conduct, whereas „gerecht“ is more strongly based on objective or moral standards. Use „fair“ especially when talking about interactions or competition, and „gerecht“ when judging a decision.
Die Trainerin verteilte die Spielzeit fair auf alle Kinder.
The coach distributed playing time fairly among all the children.
Die Richterin suchte nach einer gerechten Entscheidung für beide Familien.
The judge sought a fair decision for both families.
