justice
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justice
The ideal or principle of acting fairly, morally correctly, and impartially. It is a central concept in ethics and law.
Viele Menschen kämpfen für soziale Gerechtigkeit und gleiche Chancen für alle.
Many people fight for social justice and equal opportunities for everyone.
justice system
As a synonym for the judiciary, meaning the system of courts and laws of a state that is responsible for administering justice.
Der Verbrecher wurde gefasst und der Gerechtigkeit übergeben.
The criminal was caught and handed over to the justice system.
The word 'Gerechtigkeit' (justice) is derived from the adjective 'gerecht' (just/fair). The ending '-keit' is often added to adjectives to form a feminine noun that describes a quality or state.
Er ist ein sehr gerechter Mensch.
He is a very fair person.
When 'Gerechtigkeit' (justice) is used in the context of crime and the legal system, it refers to the justice system. If the context is morality, philosophy, or politics, it refers to the ideal of fairness.
Der Dieb wurde gefasst und wird der Gerechtigkeit zugeführt.
The thief was caught and will be brought to justice.
In the sense of fairness, 'Gerechtigkeit' (justice) is often combined with verbs like 'fordern' (to demand), 'herstellen' (to establish/create), or 'kämpfen für' (to fight for). A very common term is 'soziale Gerechtigkeit' (social justice).
Die Demonstranten forderten mehr soziale Gerechtigkeit.
The protesters demanded more social justice.
When 'Gerechtigkeit' (justice) refers to the justice system, it is often used in fixed expressions such as 'jemanden der Gerechtigkeit übergeben' (to hand someone over to justice) or 'jemanden vor die Gerechtigkeit bringen' (to bring someone to justice).
Nach langer Flucht konnte der Verbrecher endlich der Gerechtigkeit übergeben werden.
After a long escape, the criminal could finally be handed over to justice.
right / law
Here, Recht refers to a specific moral or legal claim that a person is entitled to. Gerechtigkeit, by contrast, is the general ideal of fair and impartial treatment. Someone who is supposed to receive something specific demands their Recht; someone who wants fair conditions demands Gerechtigkeit.
Die Mitarbeiterin fordert Gerechtigkeit, weil sie trotz gleicher Arbeit weniger Lohn erhält.
The employee is demanding justice because she earns less despite doing the same work.
Die Mitarbeiterin fordert ihr Recht auf den vereinbarten Lohn.
The employee is demanding her right to the agreed-upon salary.
