01
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
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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 have to do with difference. 'Unterschied' is more general: two things may differ in only one small point, for example in price or color. 'Gegensatz' is stronger and often means two things that clearly stand in opposition to each other, for example warm and cold. Learners may confuse the words because both are used when comparing. In practice: for normal comparisons, 'Unterschied' usually fits. When the gap is very strong or two sides are opposed to each other, 'Gegensatz' sounds more precise. The phrases 'im Unterschied zu' (unlike / in contrast to) and 'im Gegensatz zu' (in contrast to) are also similar; 'im Gegensatz zu' usually emphasizes the contrast more strongly.
Gegensatz
Meine Nachbarin sagt, dass der Gegensatz zwischen Stadtleben und Dorfleben am Morgen besonders deutlich ist.
My neighbor says that the contrast between city life and village life is especially clear in the morning.
Unterschied
Heute habe ich den Unterschied zwischen den beiden Verträgen zur Sicherheit noch einmal geprüft.
Today, to be safe, I checked the difference between the two contracts once more.
In real life
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