equal
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equal
Having the same rights, the same status, or the same opportunities as someone else. Often used in a legal or social context.
Laut Gesetz sind Männer und Frauen in Deutschland vollkommen gleichgestellt.
According to the law, men and women in Germany are completely equal.
equivalent
Regarded or treated as equal or equivalent in a formal or technical context.
In dieser Prüfung wird ein Masterabschluss mit fünf Jahren Berufserfahrung gleichgestellt.
In this exam, a master's degree is treated as equivalent to five years of professional experience.
The word is the past participle of 'gleichstellen' (to put on an equal footing) and is made up of 'gleich' (equal) and 'gestellt' (placed). Its literal meaning is therefore 'placed on the same level,' which makes it easier to understand.
In unserem Team sind alle Mitarbeiter gleichgestellt und haben dieselben Rechte.
In our team, all employees are equal and have the same rights.
When expressing to whom or what something is equal, that comparison partner takes the dative. The structure is: 'A ist B (Dativ) gleichgestellt' (A is equal/equivalent to B).
Ihre Berufserfahrung ist einem Hochschulabschluss gleichgestellt.
Her professional experience is equivalent to a university degree.
In social and legal contexts, 'gleichgestellt' (equal) is often used in debates about the rights of groups. Typical topics include equality between men and women or between people with and without disabilities.
Das Gesetz soll sicherstellen, dass behinderte Menschen im Berufsleben gleichgestellt sind.
The law is intended to ensure that disabled people are equal in professional life.
equivalent
When talking about qualifications, „gleichwertig“ describes comparable quality or value. „Gleichgestellt“ means that one qualification is treated like another in a formal context. Gleichstellung therefore rests on institutional treatment, not merely on an assessment of quality.
Für diese Bewerbung ist der ausländische Abschluss dem deutschen gleichgestellt.
For this application, the foreign qualification is treated as equivalent to the German one.
Die beiden Abschlüsse vermitteln gleichwertige Kenntnisse.
The two qualifications provide equivalent knowledge.
