to compare / to confront
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to compare
To directly compare two or more things, people, or facts in order to make differences or similarities clear.
In der Tabelle werden die Kosten des alten und des neuen Systems einander gegenübergestellt.
In the table, the costs of the old and the new system are compared with each other.
'Gegenüberstellen' (to compare/confront) is a separable verb. The prefix 'gegenüber-' goes at the end of the sentence in main clauses in the present and simple past tense.
Der Autor stellt in seinem Buch zwei politische Systeme gegenüber.
In his book, the author compares two political systems.
The verb is made up of 'gegenüber' (opposite/across from) and 'stellen' (to place/put). The literal meaning 'to place someone or something opposite each other' helps you understand both meanings: you place ideas side by side for comparison, or a suspect opposite a witness for identification.
Stell doch mal die Vor- und Nachteile gegenüber, bevor du dich entscheidest.
Just compare the pros and cons before you decide.
The construction is often: 'jemandem (dative) etwas (accusative) gegenüberstellen' (to compare/confront something with someone/something). The dative indicates the person or thing with which something is being compared.
Die Polizei stellte dem Zeugen mehrere Verdächtige gegenüber.
The police confronted the witness with several suspects.
The meaning of a police identification is very specific. It is used almost exclusively in legal or police contexts, often with words like 'Zeuge' (witness), 'Verdächtiger' (suspect), or 'Polizei' (police).
Der Verdächtige weigerte sich, sich dem Opfer gegenüberstellen zu lassen.
The suspect refused to be confronted with the victim.
to compare
'vergleichen' and 'gegenüberstellen' both mean that you look at two or more things together. With 'vergleichen', the point can generally be to check similarities, differences, or even quality. 'gegenüberstellen' sounds a little more focused: you show two sides directly side by side so that differences or similarities become clearly visible. In texts, tables, or presentations, 'gegenüberstellen' often fits well. In everyday language, 'vergleichen' is usually more natural and more broadly usable.
Mein Kollege stellt im Büro die Vorteile und Nachteile der neuen Software gegenüber.
My colleague compares the advantages and disadvantages of the new software at the office.
Beim Autokauf vergleicht mein Nachbar die Preise verschiedener Modelle.
When buying a car, my neighbor compares the prices of different models.