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.
counterweight
In a figurative sense, a person, group, or force that counteracts another, often dominant force and provides balance.
Die Opposition bildet im Parlament ein wichtiges Gegengewicht zur Regierung.
The opposition forms an important counterweight to the government in parliament.
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.
opponent
Gegenspieler is a person or group that actively opposes another side. Gegengewicht, by contrast, acts as a balancing counterforce and does not have to be an opponent. When referring to a direct political opponent, Gegenspieler is appropriate; when referring to limiting a dominant force, Gegengewicht is more precise.
Die Opposition kann im Parlament ein Gegengewicht zur starken Regierung bilden.
In parliament, the opposition can act as a counterweight to the strong government.
Die Opposition wurde im Wahlkampf zum wichtigsten Gegenspieler der Regierung.
The opposition became the government’s most important opponent during the election campaign.
