injustice
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injustice
A specific action or situation that is perceived as unfair. In this meaning, the word is countable.
Es ist eine himmelschreiende Ungerechtigkeit, dass sie für die gleiche Arbeit weniger Lohn erhält.
It is a blatant injustice that she receives less pay for the same work.
injustice
The general state or quality of being unjust; the absence of justice in the world or in a system. In this meaning, the word is uncountable.
Viele Menschen engagieren sich im Kampf gegen soziale Ungerechtigkeit.
Many people are involved in the fight against social injustice.
The word is made up of the prefix 'un-' and the noun 'Gerechtigkeit' (justice). The prefix 'un-' expresses the opposite, so the absence of justice.
Er empfand die Entscheidung des Schiedsrichters als große Ungerechtigkeit.
He perceived the referee's decision as a great injustice.
When a specific, individual unfair action is meant, the word is countable ('eine Ungerechtigkeit' (an injustice), plural: 'Ungerechtigkeiten' (injustices)). When speaking about the general principle, it is uncountable and is often used without an article.
Er hat in seinem Leben viele Ungerechtigkeiten erlebt.
He has experienced many injustices in his life.
When describing a specific unfair act, people often say that someone 'erfährt' (experiences) or 'erlebt' (experiences) an injustice. Adjectives like 'groß' (great) or 'himmelschreiend' (blatant/outrageous) make the statement stronger.
Die ungleiche Bezahlung war eine himmelschreiende Ungerechtigkeit.
The unequal pay was a blatant injustice.
In the general sense, 'Ungerechtigkeit' (injustice) is often combined with verbs like 'kämpfen gegen' (to fight against) or 'beseitigen' (to eliminate). A very common collocation is 'soziale Ungerechtigkeit' (social injustice).
Die Organisation setzt sich für die Beseitigung von sozialer Ungerechtigkeit ein.
The organization is committed to eliminating social injustice.
injustice / wrong
Unrecht and Ungerechtigkeit can both refer to a wrongful action or situation. Unrecht places greater emphasis on violating the law, morality, or one's sense of justice, whereas Ungerechtigkeit particularly highlights a disadvantage perceived as unfair. Use Unrecht generally and Ungerechtigkeit for specific unfair treatment.
Die Bevorzugung seines Bruders war eine klare Ungerechtigkeit.
Favoring his brother was a clear injustice.
Die Kündigung ohne jeden Grund war ein großes Unrecht.
Being fired without any reason at all was a great injustice.
