compensation
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compensation
The legally regulated compensation for damage, usually through a monetary payment that must be made by the person or institution that caused the damage.
Die Versicherung des Unfallverursachers musste Schadensersatz für die Reparaturkosten zahlen.
The insurance company of the person who caused the accident had to pay compensation for the repair costs.
This word consists of three parts: 'der Schaden' (damage) + linking -s + 'der Ersatz' (replacement/compensation). So it literally means a 'replacement for damage'.
Nach dem Wasserrohrbruch war der Schaden in der Wohnung groß.
After the burst water pipe, the damage in the apartment was extensive.
'Schadensersatz' (compensation) is often combined with certain verbs: you can 'fordern' (demand), 'bekommen' (get), or 'leisten' (pay) compensation, or 'jemanden auf Schadensersatz verklagen' (sue someone for compensation).
Der Geschädigte fordert vom Verursacher einen hohen Schadensersatz.
The injured party is demanding a large amount of compensation from the person responsible.
'Schadensersatz' (compensation) is often used with the prepositions 'für' (for) or 'auf' (to/for). You have a claim 'auf' compensation and you pay compensation 'für' something.
Er hat Anspruch auf Schadensersatz.
He is entitled to compensation.
This word belongs to formal language and is used mainly in legal or insurance-related contexts.
In seinem Brief an die Versicherung formulierte er seine Forderung nach Schadensersatz.
In his letter to the insurance company, he stated his claim for compensation.
compensation
Both words can refer to a payment made to compensate for a disadvantage suffered. Entschädigung can generally be paid for damage, loss, or injustice, whereas Schadensersatz means legally regulated compensation for damage that someone caused. Schadensersatz is therefore particularly appropriate when there is a legal obligation to compensate.
Wegen des verursachten Schadens musste die Firma Schadensersatz zahlen.
The company had to pay compensation for the damage it had caused.
Wegen der langen Wartezeit erhielt die Familie eine Entschädigung.
The family received compensation because of the long wait.
