reciprocation
Loading your saved state.
reciprocation
A service, favor, or contribution given as compensation, payment, or thanks for another service or favor. It is what you give back when you have received something.
Er half mir beim Umzug und als Gegenleistung habe ich ihn zum Essen eingeladen.
He helped me move, and in return I invited him to dinner.
The word is made up of 'gegen' (against/in return) and 'Leistung' (service/performance). So it literally describes a 'Leistung' (service) that one provides in response to or as compensation for another service.
Für seine Hilfe beim Umzug bot ich ihm eine Gegenleistung an.
For his help with the move, I offered him something in return.
'Gegenleistung' (reciprocation/something in return) is very often used with the preposition 'als' (as) to describe the purpose or form of the compensation. The structure is often: 'als Gegenleistung für etwas' (as something in return for something).
Als Gegenleistung für die Nachhilfe hat sie ihm den Rasen gemäht.
In return for the tutoring, she mowed his lawn.
Common verbs used with 'Gegenleistung' (reciprocation/something in return) are 'eine Gegenleistung erbringen' (to provide something in return), 'eine Gegenleistung verlangen' (to demand something in return), and 'eine Gegenleistung anbieten' (to offer something in return).
Der Handwerker erbrachte eine gute Arbeit, verlangte aber auch eine hohe Gegenleistung.
The craftsman did good work, but also demanded a high payment in return.
compensation / equalizer
'der Ausgleich' and 'die Gegenleistung' can both mean that something is given in return for something else. The difference lies in the perspective: 'Ausgleich' is used when a disadvantage, a difference, or a dispute is meant to be made right again. 'Gegenleistung' fits better when someone gives something back for help, work, or a gift. Learners may confuse the words because a Gegenleistung can sometimes also be an Ausgleich. A practical tip: when there is an imbalance, you are more likely to say 'Ausgleich'; when it is about giving and giving back, 'Gegenleistung' is more likely.
Für seine Hilfe beim Umzug erwartet Max keine Gegenleistung.
Max does not expect anything in return for helping with the move.
Nach den vielen Überstunden bekommt das Team einen freien Tag als Ausgleich.
After all the overtime, the team gets a day off as compensation.