gerecht
fair / just
In accordance with the principles of fairness and the law; impartial and objective.
EXAMPLE
Eine gerechte Verteilung der Aufgaben ist wichtig für die Teamarbeit.
A fair distribution of tasks is important for teamwork.
gerecht
fair / just
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Meanings
jemandem/etwas gerecht werden
to do justice to
To meet and adequately address the requirements, expectations, or complexity of a person or thing.
EXAMPLE
Diese kurze Zusammenfassung kann der Komplexität des Buches nicht gerecht werden.
This short summary cannot do justice to the complexity of the book.
Usage tips
Word family
The adjective 'gerecht' (fair/just) belongs to the word family of 'das Recht' (the law/right) and 'der Richter' (the judge). It therefore describes something that corresponds to the rules of fairness and the law.
EXAMPLE
Der Richter fällte ein gerechtes Urteil.
The judge delivered a fair verdict.
Context clue
The fixed expression 'gerecht werden' (to do justice to) with the dative has its own meaning. In all other cases, e.g. as an adjective before a noun or with the verb 'sein' (to be), 'gerecht' simply means 'fair'.
EXAMPLE
Der Chef versucht, allen Mitarbeitern gerecht zu werden.
The boss tries to do justice to all employees.
Typical collocations
In the meaning 'fair', 'gerecht' is often combined with nouns such as 'Urteil' (verdict), 'Strafe' (punishment), 'Entscheidung' (decision), or 'Verteilung' (distribution).
EXAMPLE
Die Spieler forderten eine gerechte Bezahlung.
The players demanded fair pay.
Fixed expression with dative
The expression 'jemandem/etwas gerecht werden' (to do justice to someone/something) is a fixed structure. The person or thing whose requirements one meets is always in the dative.
EXAMPLE
Ein guter Lehrer muss den unterschiedlichen Bedürfnissen seiner Schüler gerecht werden.
A good teacher must do justice to the different needs of his students.
Compare with
gerecht vs recht
right / quite
Recht refers here to a correct statement or assessment, especially in the expression “recht haben.” Gerecht, on the other hand, describes a fair and impartial decision or treatment. A decision can therefore be factually correct without being considered fair by everyone.
gerecht
Die Leiterin verteilte die Prämie gerecht nach klaren Kriterien.
The manager distributed the bonus fairly according to clear criteria.
recht
Die Leiterin hatte recht: Die Prämie war falsch berechnet.
The manager was right: The bonus had been calculated incorrectly.
In real life
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