das  Gegengewicht

B2

Estimated CEFR level.

/ˌɡeːɡn̩ɡəˈvɪçt/

⚖️ What does "das Gegengewicht" mean?

The German word das Gegengewicht primarily describes two things:

• Literal meaning: A weight used to balance or counteract another weight. You often find it on cranes (der Kran), elevators (der Aufzug), or scales (die Waage). It ensures the structure remains stable or can move more easily. It translates to counterweight or counterpoise.
• Figurative meaning: A force, influence, or factor that counteracts another force or influence, thus creating balance (das Gleichgewicht). This can refer to political, social, or personal situations (e.g., ein Gegengewicht zur Regierungsmacht - a counterbalance to government power).

The word always takes the article das.

Article rules for der, die, and das

🧐 Grammar under the Microscope: Das Gegengewicht

The noun "Gegengewicht" is neuter (sächlich) and is used with the article das.

Declension

Example Sentences

1. Das schwere Gegengewicht am Kran sorgt für Stabilität. (The heavy counterweight on the crane ensures stability.)
2. In einer Demokratie bildet die Opposition ein wichtiges Gegengewicht zur Regierung. (In a democracy, the opposition forms an important counterbalance to the government.)
3. Manchmal braucht man im Leben ein emotionales Gegengewicht zu den täglichen Sorgen. (Sometimes in life, you need an emotional counterbalance to daily worries.)
4. Die Gegengewichte des Aufzugs bewegen sich in einem separaten Schacht. (The counterweights of the elevator move in a separate shaft.)

⚙️ How to use "Gegengewicht"?

The word "Gegengewicht" is used in both a technical and a figurative sense:

• Technical Context: Here, it refers directly to a physical weight used for balancing (e.g., "Das Gegengewicht des Trebuchets ermöglichte weite Würfe." - The counterweight of the trebuchet enabled long throws.).
• Figurative Context: Here, it describes a balancing force or influence in more abstract situations (e.g., "Die Pressefreiheit dient als Gegengewicht zur staatlichen Macht." - Freedom of the press serves as a counterbalance to state power. or "Humor kann ein gutes Gegengewicht zu Stress sein." - Humor can be a good counterbalance to stress.).

It's a relatively formal word but can be used in everyday language in both contexts. A similar, often synonymous word is "Ausgleichsgewicht", which emphasizes the physical balancing aspect more strongly. In a figurative sense, "Ausgleich" (balance), "Balanceakt" (balancing act), or "Korrektiv" (corrective) might fit depending on the context.

🧠 Mnemonics to Remember

Article Mnemonic: Remember das Gewicht (the weight). Many compound German nouns take the gender/article of the last part of the word. Since it's "das Gewicht", it's also "das Gegengewicht". Think of weight as a neutral, physical concept (neuter gender -> das).

Meaning Mnemonic: Imagine a scale (die Waage). On one side, there's a "Gewicht" (weight). What do you need on the other side to work against it? A "Gegen-Gewicht" (an against-weight, or counter-weight). It works *against* the first weight to create balance.

🔄 Synonyms & Antonyms for Gegengewicht

⚠️ Be careful not to translate "counterpart" directly as "Gegengewicht". "Counterpart" is usually "Gegenstück" or "Amtskollege" in German.

😂 A Little Joke

Warum hat die Federwaage keinen Streit mit dem Gegengewicht?
Weil sie immer versuchen, ein Gleichgewicht zu finden! 😄

Why does the spring scale never argue with the counterweight?
Because they always try to find a balance! 😄

📜 A Poem about Balance

Schwer lastet Last auf einer Seit',
Die andre strebt zur Höh' bereit.
Doch klug erdacht, hängt gegenüber,
Ein Gegengewicht, macht alles lieber.
Es zieht herab, was steigen will,
Hält die Balance, ruhig und still.
So wirkt es leis', im Auf und Ab,
Nimmt Schwerem seine Bürde ab.

Heavy the load on one side lies,
The other readily tries to rise.
But cleverly designed, hangs opposite,
A counterweight, makes all seem fit.
It pulls down that which wants to ascend,
Maintains the balance, quiet friend.
So it works softly, in ups and downs,
Lifting the burden from heavy crowns (loads).

❓ A Little Riddle

Ich hänge oft an Seil und Kran,
damit die Last sich heben kann.
Im übertragenen Sinne bin ich Macht,
die einer anderen den Ausgleich schafft.

Was bin ich?

I often hang on rope and crane,
so that the load can lift again.
In a figurative sense, I am might,
that brings balance to another's light (creates balance for another).

What am I?

Solution: Das Gegengewicht (The Counterweight)

🧩 Word Components and More

The word "Gegengewicht" is a compound noun (ein Kompositum), composed of:

• Gegen: Preposition/adverb meaning 'against', 'counter', 'in exchange for'.
• Gewicht: Noun (neuter), meaning 'weight', 'heaviness', 'importance'.

The composition clarifies its function: a weight that works against another.

Trivia: The principle of the counterweight is fundamental in many mechanical systems, from ancient siege engines (trebuchets) to modern skyscrapers that use tuned mass dampers as giant counterweights to remain stable during high winds or earthquakes.