das  Ungleichgewicht

C1

Estimated CEFR level.

/ʊnɡlaɪçɡəˈvɪçt/

⚖️ What does 'das Ungleichgewicht' mean?

Das Ungleichgewicht (noun, neuter) describes a state where there is no balance or harmony. It signifies the absence or disturbance of an equilibrium.

It can refer to various areas:

• Physical: e.g., the Ungleichgewicht when standing on one leg.
• Psychological/Emotional: e.g., a mental/emotional Ungleichgewicht after a stressful event.
• Social/Political: e.g., the Ungleichgewicht of power between countries.
• Ecological: e.g., the ecological Ungleichgewicht caused by pollution.
• Economic: e.g., an Ungleichgewicht between supply and demand.

It is the direct opposite of 'das Gleichgewicht' (equilibrium, balance).

🧐 Grammar Spotlight: das Ungleichgewicht

The word 'Ungleichgewicht' is a noun and takes the article 'das' (neuter). It is mostly used in the singular, as it often describes an abstract state. The plural 'die Ungleichgewichte' is possible but less common, referring to multiple specific instances or types of imbalance.

Declension Singular

Declension Plural - less common

💡 Examples in Context

1. Das plötzliche Ungleichgewicht brachte den Turm zum Einsturz. (The sudden imbalance caused the tower to collapse.)
2. Viele Menschen leiden unter einem emotionalen Ungleichgewicht. (Many people suffer from an emotional imbalance.)
3. Die Wirtschaft kämpft mit einem starken Ungleichgewicht zwischen Import und Export. (The economy is struggling with a strong imbalance between imports and exports.)
4. Ökologische Ungleichgewichte können ganze Ökosysteme bedrohen. (Ecological imbalances can threaten entire ecosystems.) (Plural example)

🗣️ How to use 'Ungleichgewicht'?

The word 'Ungleichgewicht' is used to express a lack of balance, symmetry, or harmony. It often carries a negative connotation, as it describes a deviation from an ideal or stable state.

• Contexts: You'll find it in discussions about physics, biology, ecology, psychology, sociology, politics, and economics.
• Abstract vs. Concrete: Mostly, it describes abstract states (e.g., Machtungleichgewicht - power imbalance, seelisches Ungleichgewicht - mental imbalance). However, it can also be more concrete (e.g., an Ungleichgewicht in a chemical reaction or in loading a ship).
• Comparison: Similar to 'disbalance' or 'imbalance', but 'Ungleichgewicht' is the most common German term. It's stronger than just a 'Differenz' (difference) or 'Unterschied' (difference), as it often implies instability.

🧠 Mnemonics for 'das Ungleichgewicht'

Article 'das': Think of abstract concepts representing a state. Many nouns ending in '-gewicht' related to states are neuter: das Gewicht (the weight), das Gleichgewicht (the equilibrium). Imagine scales (die Waage - feminine!), but the state of weight or balance is 'das'. The opposite, das Ungleichgewicht, keeps the article.

Meaning: Focus on the prefix 'Un-', which often indicates negation or opposite (like 'unhappy' vs. 'happy'). 'Ungleichgewicht' is the opposite of 'Gleichgewicht' (equal weight on both sides, equilibrium).

🔄 Synonyms & Antonyms

⚠️ Note: While 'Differenz' or 'Unterschied' simply describe deviations, 'Ungleichgewicht' often implies a problematic or unstable situation.

😄 A Little Joke

Warum hat der Clown seinen Job auf der Wippe verloren?

Er konnte das Ungleichgewicht einfach nicht mehr ertragen!

Why did the clown lose his job on the seesaw?

He just couldn't stand the imbalance anymore!

📜 A Short Poem

Die Waage schwankt, mal auf, mal nieder,
zeigt ein Ungleichgewicht immer wieder.
Mal hier zu viel, mal dort zu leer,
Balance zu finden, ist oft schwer.
Ob Welt, ob Seele, zart und fein,
nach Gleichgewicht strebt alles Sein.

The scale sways, now up, now down,
showing an imbalance all around.
Too much here, too empty there,
finding balance is often rare.
Be it world or soul, tender and fine,
all existence strives for equilibrium's line.

❓ Riddle Time

Ich bin da, wenn eins mehr wiegt als das andre,
wenn Kräfte zerren, ich im Lande wandre.
Ob in der Seele, Wirtschaft oder Natur,
bin ich die Abweichung von der Idealschnur.

Was bin ich?(Lösung: das Ungleichgewicht)

I am there when one weighs more than the other,
when forces pull, I roam, don't bother.
Whether in soul, economy, or nature's sphere,
I am the deviation from the ideal, it's clear.

What am I?(Solution: das Ungleichgewicht / imbalance)

🧩 Word Components & Trivia

Word Composition: The word 'Ungleichgewicht' has a clear structure:

• Un-: A prefix expressing negation or opposite.
• gleich: Adjective meaning 'equal' or 'same'.
• Gewicht: Noun meaning 'weight'.

Together, 'gleich' and 'Gewicht' form the word 'Gleichgewicht' (Equilibrium), and 'Un-' reverses its meaning.

Trivia: The concept of 'Ungleichgewicht' is central to many scientific disciplines, from thermodynamics (thermisches Ungleichgewicht - thermal disequilibrium) to sociology (soziales Ungleichgewicht - social inequality/imbalance).