to compare
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to compare
To look at two or more things side by side in order to assess similarities, differences, or quality.
Bevor du ein Handy kaufst, solltest du die Preise und Funktionen vergleichen.
Before you buy a phone, you should compare the prices and features.
'Vergleichen' (to compare) is an inseparable verb that comes from the word 'gleich' (same/equal). It literally means placing things side by side to see whether or how they are 'gleich' (the same/equal).
Ich habe die beiden Kleider verglichen und nehme das günstigere.
I compared the two dresses and am taking the cheaper one.
When comparing two things, you use the structure: 'etwas (accusative) mit etwas (dative) vergleichen' (to compare something with something).
Man kann Äpfel nicht mit Birnen vergleichen.
You can't compare apples with pears.
The reflexive pronoun 'sich' changes the meaning completely. 'Etwas vergleichen' (to compare something) means looking for differences, while 'sich vergleichen' (to settle) means ending a dispute through a compromise.
Wir sollten die verschiedenen Reiseangebote genau vergleichen.
We should compare the different travel offers carefully.
The reflexive form 'sich vergleichen' (to settle) is used almost exclusively in legal or business contexts for resolving a dispute. It is often followed by the preposition 'auf' to name the compromise.
Die Firma und der ehemalige Mitarbeiter verglichen sich auf eine Abfindung.
The company and the former employee settled on a severance payment.
comparison / settlement
'der Vergleich' and 'vergleichen' belong to the same topic: you look at two or more things and pay attention to similarities and differences. The important difference is the part of speech. 'vergleichen' is the verb and describes the action: someone compares prices, texts, or options. 'der Vergleich' is the noun and means the process or result of this action. Learners may confuse the words because they look very similar. A practical tip: after articles like 'der' or after prepositions, you usually use 'Vergleich'; for the action in a sentence, you need 'vergleichen'.
Vor dem Kauf vergleicht Lisa die Preise im Internet.
Before buying, Lisa compares the prices online.
Der Vergleich der beiden Angebote hat uns bei der Entscheidung geholfen.
The comparison of the two offers helped us make the decision.