01
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
Checking...
Loading your saved state.
Meanings
01 / 02
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 entsprechen
to correspond / to meet
'entsprechen' and 'gerecht' are connected when you use the fixed expression 'jemandem oder etwas gerecht werden' (to do justice to someone or something). Both can express that something fits requirements or expectations. 'entsprechen' is a verb and is often used directly with a thing: something corresponds to a rule or meets a wish. 'gerecht werden' is used when someone or something deals appropriately with a task, a person, or a difficult situation. Learners may confuse the words because in both cases an expectation is being met. The form is important: you say 'einer Anforderung entsprechen' (to meet a requirement), but 'einer Aufgabe gerecht werden' (to do justice to a task).
gerecht
Vor dem Termin überlegt das Team, wie es der schwierigen Aufgabe gerecht wird.
Before the appointment, the team thinks about how it can do justice to the difficult task.
entsprechen
Dieser Plan entspricht nicht den Wünschen der Eltern.
This plan does not meet the parents' wishes.
In real life
Loading video examples...