comparison / lineup
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comparison
The direct comparison of two or more people, things, or facts in order to show differences or similarities.
Die Gegenüberstellung der alten und neuen Pläne machte die Verbesserungen deutlich.
The comparison of the old and new plans made the improvements clear.
The word is made up of 'gegenüber' (opposite / facing) and 'Stellung' (position, from 'stellen' — to put/place). It literally describes the act of placing two things opposite each other in order to compare them.
Die Gegenüberstellung der beiden Angebote half bei der Entscheidung.
The comparison of the two offers helped with the decision.
The context makes the meaning clear. If it is about police, witnesses, or suspects, the police procedure is meant. If it is about data, products, or arguments, a comparison is meant.
Die Gegenüberstellung der Vor- und Nachteile war sehr aufschlussreich.
The comparison of the advantages and disadvantages was very informative.
When things are being compared, the structure 'Gegenüberstellung von A und B' (comparison of A and B) is often used. The combination 'in der Gegenüberstellung' (in the comparison) is also common.
In der Gegenüberstellung der beiden Grafiken werden die Unterschiede sofort sichtbar.
In the comparison of the two charts, the differences become immediately visible.
In a police context, the word is often used with verbs such as 'durchführen' (to carry out), 'anordnen' (to order), or 'identifizieren' (to identify). The person who is to be identified is brought 'zur Gegenüberstellung' (to the lineup).
Die Polizei führte mit dem Hauptzeugen eine Gegenüberstellung durch.
The police conducted a lineup with the main witness.
comparison / settlement
'der Vergleich' and 'die Gegenüberstellung' are closely related because both involve looking at several things. 'der Vergleich' is the more general word: you examine similarities and differences. 'die Gegenüberstellung' sounds more direct and often a bit more structured, for example in a table or presentation. It means placing two sides visibly next to each other so that differences or similarities become clear. Learners may confuse the words because a 'Gegenüberstellung' is a kind of comparison. But not every 'Vergleich' is automatically a 'Gegenüberstellung'; it can also be explained freely in a text.
Für die Präsentation erstellt sie eine Gegenüberstellung von Bahnreise und Autofahrt.
For the presentation, she creates a side-by-side comparison of traveling by train and traveling by car.
Nach dem Unterricht erklärt Frau Wolf den Vergleich der beiden Texte noch einmal.
After the lesson, Ms. Wolf explains the comparison of the two texts once again.