equivalent value / value for money
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equivalent value
The value of something expressed in another form, usually in money. It refers to what something is worth or what one receives as an equivalent for it.
Er spendete alte Möbel im Gegenwert von etwa 500 Euro.
He donated old furniture with an equivalent value of about 500 euros.
value for money
The service, benefit, or quality that one receives in exchange for a payment, effort, or investment. It is about the relationship between price and performance.
Für so viel Geld erwarte ich auch einen entsprechenden Gegenwert und nicht nur leere Versprechungen.
For that much money, I expect appropriate value for money too, and not just empty promises.
The word consists of 'Gegen-' and 'Wert' (value). The prefix 'Gegen-' here means 'in exchange for' or 'as an equivalent'. The 'Gegenwert' (equivalent value) is therefore the value that one receives for something else.
Er tauschte sein altes Auto gegen ein neues Fahrrad und bekam zusätzlich einen kleinen Gegenwert in bar.
He traded his old car for a new bicycle and additionally received a small equivalent value in cash.
To express the exact value in money, the fixed expression 'im Gegenwert von' (with an equivalent value of) + amount of money is used. This structure is very common.
Die gestohlenen Juwelen hatten einen Gegenwert von über einer Million Euro.
The stolen jewels had an equivalent value of over one million euros.
In this meaning, it is often about the quality that you get for your money or effort. Typical verbs are 'einen Gegenwert bieten' (to offer value for money), 'einen Gegenwert erhalten' (to receive value for money), or 'einen Gegenwert erwarten' (to expect value for money).
Das teure Ticket hat sich gelohnt, die Show bot einen echten Gegenwert.
The expensive ticket was worth it; the show offered real value for money.
The first meaning is often very concrete and is given with 'im Gegenwert von...' (with an equivalent value of...) and a number. The second meaning is more abstract and qualitative and is often described with adjectives such as 'entsprechend' (appropriate), 'fair' (fair), or 'gering' (low).
Er spendete Kleidung im Gegenwert von 200 Euro.
He donated clothing with an equivalent value of 200 euros.
value
Wert and Gegenwert can both indicate what something means in monetary terms. Wert describes the price or general financial value; Gegenwert emphasizes the equivalent that one receives in return. When talking about the price itself, Wert is the right term; in an exchange, Gegenwert is the right term.
Für fünfhundert Euro erhielt sie als Gegenwert ein gut erhaltenes Fahrrad.
In return for five hundred euros, she received a well-maintained bicycle.
Der Wert des Fahrrads beträgt ungefähr fünfhundert Euro.
The value of the bicycle is approximately five hundred euros.
