reparation / amends
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reparation
Compensation for harm, an injustice, or a loss that has been caused, often through financial payments or other services. The term is frequently used in legal and historical contexts.
Nach dem Krieg leistete Deutschland Wiedergutmachungen an die Opfer des Nationalsozialismus.
After the war, Germany made reparations to the victims of National Socialism.
amends
A personal action meant to make up for a mistake or an insult and improve the relationship with another person again. This is less about money than about a moral gesture.
Als Wiedergutmachung für sein unhöfliches Verhalten lud er sie zum Abendessen ein.
As amends for his rude behavior, he invited her to dinner.
The word is made up of 'wieder' (again), 'gut' (good), and 'machen' (to make). So it describes the act of 'etwas wieder gut zu machen' (to make something right again) that was previously bad.
Er versuchte, seinen Fehler durch eine ehrliche Entschuldigung wiedergutzumachen.
He tried to make up for his mistake with an honest apology.
The meaning depends strongly on the context. If it concerns large, often financial services between states or for groups of victims, the legal-historical meaning is intended. If it is a personal gesture between individuals, the moral meaning is intended.
Die Verhandlungen über staatliche Wiedergutmachungen dauerten mehrere Jahre.
The negotiations about state reparations lasted several years.
In legal and historical contexts, 'Wiedergutmachung' (reparation) is often combined with the verbs 'leisten' (to make/provide), 'fordern' (to demand), or 'zahlen' (to pay).
Die Opferverbände fordern eine angemessene Wiedergutmachung für das erlittene Unrecht.
The victims' associations are demanding appropriate reparation for the injustice they suffered.
In personal contexts, the phrase 'als Wiedergutmachung' (as amends) is often used, followed by the action that is meant to make up for the mistake.
Als Wiedergutmachung für die Verspätung übernahm er die Kosten für das Taxi.
As amends for being late, he covered the cost of the taxi.
compensation / equalizer
Both words can describe an action taken to compensate for a disadvantage that was inflicted. „Wiedergutmachung“, however, presupposes a wrong, mistake, or insult that was committed and often has a personal or moral aspect, whereas „Ausgleich“ remains more general. Use „Wiedergutmachung“ when there is personal guilt and „Ausgleich“ for a general disadvantage.
Als Wiedergutmachung entschuldigte er sich und half ihr bei der Arbeit.
As amends, he apologized and helped her with the work.
Die zusätzliche Unterstützung war ein Ausgleich für den Nachteil der betroffenen Familie.
The additional support was compensation for the disadvantage faced by the affected family.
