counterweight
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counterweight
A mass used to balance another load and keep a system in equilibrium. It can be found, for example, in cranes, elevators, or drawbridges.
Das schwere Gegengewicht sorgt dafür, dass der Kran nicht umkippt.
The heavy counterweight ensures that the crane doesn't tip over.
The word is made up of 'gegen' (against) and 'Gewicht' (weight). It literally describes a weight that acts against another force in order to create balance.
Ein Gegengewicht wirkt der Kraft eines anderen Gewichts entgegen.
A counterweight acts against the force of another weight.
'Gegengewicht' (counterweight) is very often used with the preposition 'zu' to express what it creates a balance to. The structure is: 'ein Gegengewicht zu etwas (Dativ)' (a counterweight to something, dative).
Freie Medien sind ein wichtiges Gegengewicht zur politischen Macht.
Free media are an important counterweight to political power.
The literal, technical meaning can be recognized by words like 'Kran' (crane), 'Aufzug' (elevator), 'Physik' (physics), or 'Technik' (technology/engineering). Here it is about a physical mass.
In der Technik sorgt ein Gegengewicht für die nötige Stabilität eines Systems.
In engineering, a counterweight provides the necessary stability of a system.
In the figurative meaning, 'Gegengewicht' (counterweight) is often used with verbs like 'bilden' (to form), 'schaffen' (to create), or 'darstellen' (to represent/constitute). People speak of creating a counterweight to a dominant force.
Die Zivilgesellschaft muss ein starkes Gegengewicht zur Regierung bilden.
Civil society must form a strong counterweight to the government.
compensation / equalizer
'der Ausgleich' and 'das Gegengewicht' can both have something to do with balance. 'Ausgleich' refers more to the effect or measure: a disadvantage or imbalance is compensated for. 'Gegengewicht' refers more to the thing, person, or force that acts against something else. This can be very concrete, like a heavy mass on a crane, or figurative, like a group that limits too much power. Learners may confuse the words because a 'Gegengewicht' can create 'Ausgleich'. Memory tip: 'das Gegengewicht' is often the means; 'der Ausgleich' is the result or goal.
Am Kran sorgt ein schweres Gegengewicht dafür, dass die Last sicher bleibt.
On the crane, a heavy counterweight ensures that the load remains secure.
Zum Ausgleich für den Stress geht Lisa abends eine Runde spazieren.
To balance out the stress, Lisa goes for a walk in the evening.