die  Benachteiligung

C1

Estimated CEFR level.

/bəˈnaxtɪlɪɡʊŋ/

🤔 What Exactly is 'Benachteiligung'?

Die Benachteiligung (feminine noun) describes the state or process where a person or group is put in a worse position than others. It refers to a disadvantage, unfair treatment, or being set back. This can occur in various areas of life, such as work, education, or social interaction.

The word is derived from the verb benachteiligen (to disadvantage). The suffix "-ung" signals that it's a feminine noun, hence it's always die Benachteiligung.

There are different forms of Benachteiligung:

• Direkte Benachteiligung (Direct disadvantage/discrimination): A person is treated less favourably directly because of a specific characteristic (e.g., origin, gender, age).
• Indirekte Benachteiligung (Indirect disadvantage/discrimination): An apparently neutral provision, criterion or practice puts certain groups at a particular disadvantage compared with other persons.

🚨 Attention: Although often used similarly, Benachteiligung is not always synonymous with Diskriminierung (discrimination). Diskriminierung specifically refers to disadvantage based on legally protected characteristics.

Article rules for der, die, and das

🧐 Grammar Check: 'Die Benachteiligung' in Detail

The noun "Benachteiligung" is feminine. Therefore, the article is always die.

📝 Example Sentences

1. Die systematische Benachteiligung von Frauen auf dem Arbeitsmarkt ist ein Problem.
   (The systematic disadvantage of women in the job market is a problem. - Nominative Singular)
2. Wegen der Benachteiligung bei der Beförderung legte er Beschwerde ein.
   (He filed a complaint because of the disadvantage/discrimination in the promotion. - Genitive Singular)
3. Wir müssen dieser Benachteiligung entschieden entgegentreten.
   (We must firmly oppose this disadvantage. - Dative Singular)
4. Er empfand die Situation als klare Benachteiligung.
   (He perceived the situation as a clear disadvantage. - Accusative Singular)
5. Im Laufe der Geschichte gab es viele Benachteiligungen verschiedener Gruppen.
   (Throughout history, there have been many disadvantages/instances of discrimination against various groups. - Nominative/Accusative Plural)

💡 When and How to Use 'Benachteiligung'?

"Benachteiligung" is used to describe situations involving inequality or unfair disadvantage. Typical contexts include:

• ⚖️ Law & Politics: Discussions about equal treatment laws (e.g., the Allgemeines Gleichbehandlungsgesetz - AGG or General Act on Equal Treatment), social justice, and discrimination.
• 🏢 Workplace: Unequal pay, lack of promotion opportunities, bullying (Mobbing).
• 🎓 Education System: Unequal educational opportunities due to social background or other factors.
• 🤝 Social Interaction: Exclusion or being put at a disadvantage in everyday life.

Comparison with similar words:

• Diskriminierung (Discrimination): Often used synonymously, but legally more specific (related to specific characteristics like age, gender, origin, etc.). Every instance of Diskriminierung is a Benachteiligung, but not every Benachteiligung is automatically legally relevant Diskriminierung.
• Nachteil (Disadvantage): A general term for a lack or unfavorable position. Benachteiligung often emphasizes the active process of putting someone at a disadvantage or the resulting state caused by others.
• Ungerechtigkeit (Injustice): A broader term encompassing moral aspects of fairness. Benachteiligung is a specific form of Ungerechtigkeit.

🧠 Mnemonics for 'die Benachteiligung'

For the article "die": Remember that many abstract nouns ending in "-ung" in German are feminine, like die Hoffnung (hope), die Meinung (opinion), die Achtung (respect) – and also die Benachteiligung. Think of 'ung' as a 'feminine thing'.

For the meaning: Imagine someone getting the 'night part' ('Nacht-teil') of a deal – the worse, darker part. Being 'be-nacht-teil-igt' means you're getting the short end of the stick, the disadvantage.

🔄 Synonyms and Antonyms

⚠️ Be careful: Words like Unterschied (difference) or Abweichung (deviation) are more neutral and don't automatically imply a disadvantage.

😂 A Little Joke

Warum beschwert sich der linke Schuh nie über Benachteiligung?

Weil er weiß, dass er ohne den rechten Schuh auch nicht weit kommt! Sie brauchen einander für die Gleichberechtigung auf dem Gehweg. 😉

---

Why does the left shoe never complain about being disadvantaged?

Because it knows it wouldn't get far without the right shoe! They need each other for equality on the pavement. 😉

✍️ A Short Poem

Wo Schatten fällt, wo Licht sich scheut,
Entsteht die Not, die leise schreit.
Die Waage schwankt, nicht just im Lot,
Benachteiligung, ein bitter Brot.
Doch Mut erwacht, die Stimme klar,
Gegen Unrecht, Jahr für Jahr.

---

Where shadows fall, where light shies away,
A need arises, crying softly day by day.
The scale it tilts, not justly set,
Disadvantage, a bitter bread, you get.
But courage wakes, the voice rings clear,
Against injustice, year after year.

🧩 Who or What Am I?

Ich habe keinen Körper, doch kann tief verletzen.
Ich teile die Menschen, statt sie wertzuschätzen.
Manchmal bin ich subtil, manchmal ganz direkt,
Im Gesetz steht geschrieben, dass man mich nicht bezweckt.
Ich bringe den einen Vorteil, dem andern nur Leid,
Ich bin das Gegenteil von Gerechtigkeit.

Wer oder was bin ich?

→ Die Benachteiligung

---

I have no body, yet can hurt deeply.
I divide people instead of valuing them.
Sometimes I am subtle, sometimes quite direct,
It's written in law that I should be checked.
I bring advantage to one, to another only pain,
I am the opposite of fairness, again and again.

Who or what am I?

→ Disadvantage / Discrimination (Die Benachteiligung)

🌐 Other Interesting Aspects

Word Composition:

The word "Benachteiligung" is composed of:

• be-: A prefix often indicating an action performed on an object (as in bearbeiten - to work on, beurteilen - to judge).
• Nachteil: The core of the word, meaning 'disadvantage'.
• -ung: A suffix that turns verbs into nouns, usually creating feminine nouns (as in Handlung - action, Meinung - opinion).

Legal Relevance:

In Germany, protection against Benachteiligung (especially Diskriminierung) is enshrined in the Allgemeines Gleichbehandlungsgesetz (AGG) - General Act on Equal Treatment. This law prohibits discrimination based on race or ethnic origin, gender, religion or belief, disability, age, or sexual identity.