comparable
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comparable
Of such a nature that it can meaningfully be compared with something else because similarities or shared features exist.
Die Situation heute ist kaum mit der von vor zehn Jahren vergleichbar.
The situation today is hardly comparable with the one from ten years ago.
The word is made up of the verb stem 'vergleich-' (from 'vergleichen', to compare) and the ending '-bar'. The ending '-bar' attached to a verb means that something can be done — here, that something can be compared.
Viele Probleme in der IT sind lösbar.
Many problems in IT are solvable.
When indicating what something is being compared with, you always use the preposition 'mit' followed by the dative. The structure is: 'Etwas ist vergleichbar mit etwas (Dativ)' (Something is comparable with something in the dative).
Ein E-Book-Reader ist in seiner Funktion nicht mit einem Tablet vergleichbar.
In terms of its function, an e-book reader is not comparable with a tablet.
Interestingly, 'vergleichbar' (comparable) is very often used in a negative or limiting form to emphasize differences. Watch for formulations such as 'nicht vergleichbar' (not comparable), 'kaum vergleichbar' (hardly comparable), or 'schwer vergleichbar' (difficult to compare).
Die Arbeitsbedingungen von damals sind mit heute kaum vergleichbar.
The working conditions back then are hardly comparable with today's.
similar
'ähnlich' and 'vergleichbar' both say that two things have shared features. 'ähnlich' describes more directly that two things are close in appearance, type, or effect, but are not the same. 'vergleichbar' places more emphasis on the fact that you can meaningfully place two things side by side and examine them. In everyday language, 'ähnlich' often sounds more natural. 'vergleichbar' is especially suitable when evaluating performance, prices, situations, or results.
Die beiden Angebote sind vergleichbar, weil sie fast dieselben Leistungen enthalten.
The two offers are comparable because they include almost the same services.
Sein neuer Vorschlag ist der Idee seiner Kollegin sehr ähnlich.
His new proposal is very similar to his colleague's idea.