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.
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.
justice
'Gerechtigkeit' and 'Ungerechtigkeit' are clear opposites. 'Gerechtigkeit' means that something is fair, right, and impartial. 'Ungerechtigkeit' means the opposite: an action, a decision, or a situation is unfair. 'Ungerechtigkeit' can be a single thing, for example an unfair grade, or a general condition in a system. When something happens according to fair rules, you speak of 'Gerechtigkeit'. When someone is disadvantaged, 'Ungerechtigkeit' fits.
Die Ungerechtigkeit bei der Verteilung der Aufgaben ärgert das ganze Team.
The unfairness in the distribution of tasks annoys the whole team.
Nach dem Gespräch hatte Anna das Gefühl, dass endlich Gerechtigkeit passiert.
After the conversation, Anna felt that justice was finally being done.