der Gegensatz
opposite / contrast
A state, quality, or thing that is completely opposed to another; a strong difference.
EXAMPLE
Armut und Reichtum sind ein großer sozialer Gegensatz.
Poverty and wealth are a major social contrast.
der Gegensatz
opposite / contrast
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Meanings
im Gegensatz zu
in contrast to
A fixed expression used to express a contrast or difference with something or someone. It means something like 'unlike' or 'in contrast to'.
EXAMPLE
Im Gegensatz zu seinem Bruder ist er sehr ruhig und zurückhaltend.
In contrast to his brother, he is very quiet and reserved.
Usage tips
Word structure
The word is derived from the verb 'sich widersetzen' (to resist) or 'entgegensetzen' (to oppose). It consists of 'gegen' (against) and 'Satz' (sentence/proposition), where 'Satz' is understood here in the sense of 'something stated, a thesis.' A 'Gegensatz' (opposite/contrast) is therefore something that is opposed to a thesis.
EXAMPLE
Zwischen den beiden politischen Positionen besteht ein unüberbrückbarer Gegensatz.
There is an irreconcilable contrast between the two political positions.
Typical collocations
When 'Gegensatz' (opposite/contrast) describes a strong difference, it is often combined with adjectives such as 'stark' (strong), 'groß' (big), 'krass' (stark/blatant), or 'deutlich' (clear). A common construction is also 'im Gegensatz stehen zu' (to be in contrast to).
EXAMPLE
Seine ruhige Art steht in starkem Gegensatz zu ihrem lauten Lachen.
His calm manner stands in strong contrast to her loud laughter.
Fixed expression with dative
The expression 'im Gegensatz zu' (in contrast to) is a fixed structure for expressing a contrast. The word or word group after 'zu' is always in the dative.
EXAMPLE
Im Gegensatz zu letztem Jahr haben wir dieses Jahr viel Sonne im Urlaub.
In contrast to last year, we have a lot of sun on vacation this year.
Compare with
Gegensatz vs Unterschied
difference
Unterschied and Gegensatz both refer to a difference between two things. Unterschied is appropriate even for a single deviation, while Gegensatz emphasizes a strong, often opposing difference. Use Unterschied for any identifiable difference and Gegensatz when two sides clearly stand opposed to each other.
Gegensatz
Der Gegensatz zwischen den beiden Jacken könnte kaum größer sein.
The contrast between the two jackets could hardly be greater.
Unterschied
Der Unterschied zwischen den beiden Jacken ist nur die Farbe.
The only difference between the two jackets is the color.
In real life
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