gradient / disparity / dues
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gradient
The slope of a surface, that is, the difference in height over a certain horizontal distance. It is often used for roads, railway lines, or rivers and is given in percent or degrees.
Wegen des starken Gefälles müssen LKW hier einen niedrigen Gang einlegen.
Because of the steep gradient, trucks have to shift into a low gear here.
disparity
A clear difference or inequality between two groups, regions, or conditions, especially in the social, economic, or educational sphere.
Das Lohngefälle zwischen Männern und Frauen ist in dieser Branche immer noch sehr groß.
The wage disparity between men and women is still very large in this industry.
dues
A historical term for dues, taxes, or interest payments that had to be paid to a feudal lord or another authority.
Die Bauern waren verpflichtet, dem Kloster jährlich ihr Gefälle in Form von Getreide zu zahlen.
The farmers were obliged to pay their dues to the monastery each year in the form of grain.
The word 'Gefälle' (gradient/disparity) is derived from the verb 'fallen' (to fall). The prefix 'Ge-' forms a noun here that describes the result or state of falling — that is, a slope on which something falls or flows downward.
Der Bach fließt wegen des natürlichen Gefälles in Richtung Tal.
The stream flows toward the valley because of the natural gradient.
You can recognize the meaning from the context. If people are talking about roads or rivers, or if there are figures in percent, it means a slope or gradient. In social or economic contexts (e.g., with words like 'Lohn' (wage) or 'Bildung' (education)), it refers to a difference or inequality.
Die Straße hat ein Gefälle von 12 Prozent.
The road has a gradient of 12 percent.
When referring to a slope, 'Gefälle' (gradient) is often combined with adjectives such as 'stark' (strong/steep), 'leicht' (slight), or 'steil' (steep). You also say that a stretch or route 'ein Gefälle hat' (has a gradient).
Vorsicht, die Einfahrt hat ein starkes Gefälle!
Careful, the driveway has a steep gradient!
In the figurative meaning, 'Gefälle' (disparity) is often used in fixed combinations, for example 'Lohngefälle' (wage disparity), 'Bildungsgefälle' (educational disparity), 'soziales Gefälle' (social disparity), or 'Nord-Süd-Gefälle' (north-south divide).
Die Politik diskutiert Maßnahmen gegen das Stadt-Land-Gefälle.
Politicians are discussing measures against the urban-rural divide.
This meaning is outdated and is used only in historical texts. If you are reading about the Middle Ages or the early modern period, 'Gefälle' can mean dues or taxes paid to a ruler.
Der Bauer musste sein Gefälle an den Grundherrn entrichten.
The farmer had to pay his dues to the feudal lord.
difference
Unterschied neutrally refers to any difference between two regions or groups. Gefälle describes a marked, usually graded difference and can emphasize inequality. Use Unterschied for an objective comparison and Gefälle when a clear hierarchy or a substantial gap is meant.
Das Gefälle zwischen den Einkommen in beiden Regionen ist sehr groß.
The income disparity between the two regions is very large.
Der Unterschied zwischen den Einkommen in beiden Regionen ist bekannt.
The difference between incomes in the two regions is well known.
