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.
replacement / compensation
'der Ersatz' and 'der Schadensersatz' can both mean compensation for damage. However, 'der Schadensersatz' is much more specific and sounds legal: someone has caused damage and usually has to pay money for it. 'der Ersatz' is more general. It can mean money, but also a new object or another person that replaces something. Learners may confuse the words because in both cases, damage is made up for. When it is about legal responsibility and payment, 'Schadensersatz' is the more precise word.
Nach dem Unfall fordert meine Mutter Schadensersatz von der Versicherung.
After the accident, my mother is demanding compensation from the insurance company.
Du bekommst Ersatz, wenn das Gerät schon beim Kauf kaputt war.
You will get a replacement if the device was already broken when you bought it.