die  Chancengleichheit

C1

Estimated CEFR level.

/ˈʃɑ̃ːsŋlaɪçhaɪt/

🎯 What does Chancengleichheit mean?

Die Chancengleichheit is the German term for 'equal opportunity'. It describes the principle or state where all individuals, regardless of their origin, gender, religion, sexual orientation, disability, or other personal characteristics, have the same opportunities and starting conditions to develop their abilities and achieve their goals. It's about creating fair conditions in the competition for education, jobs, social positions, etc.

The word is almost exclusively used in the singular because it describes an abstract concept. It is always feminine (die).

🚨 Important: It doesn't mean everyone achieves the same outcome ('equality of outcome' or Ergebnisgleichheit), but rather that everyone has the same Chance (chance/opportunity).

Article rules for der, die, and das

🧐 Grammar Check: die Chancengleichheit

The noun „Chancengleichheit“ is feminine. It is typically used only in the singular.

A plural form ('die Chancengleichheiten') is grammatically possible but very uncommon and would refer to different specific types or contexts of equal opportunity.

Example Sentences

1. Die Förderung der Chancengleichheit im Bildungssystem ist ein wichtiges politisches Ziel.
   (Promoting equal opportunity in the education system is an important political goal.)
2. Unternehmen sollten Maßnahmen zur Wahrung der Chancengleichheit bei der Einstellung ergreifen.
   (Companies should take measures to ensure equal opportunity in hiring.)
3. Ohne echte Chancengleichheit können Talente unentdeckt bleiben.
   (Without true equal opportunity, talents can remain undiscovered.)

💬 Context and Application

Chancengleichheit is a central concept in socio-political discussions. Here are typical contexts:

• Education: Equal access to schools, universities, and support opportunities.
• Job Market: Fair hiring processes, equal pay for equal work, advancement opportunities regardless of gender or origin.
• Politics & Society: Reducing discrimination, creating fair frameworks for all citizens.
• Law: Legal anchoring of anti-discrimination principles.

It is often used in connection with terms like Gerechtigkeit (justice), Fairness, Inklusion (inclusion), and Antidiskriminierung (anti-discrimination).

🧠 Mnemonics and Memory Aids

Article Mnemonic: German nouns ending in '-heit' are almost always feminine (die Freiheit, die Gleichheit, die Gesundheit...). Therefore, it's also: die Chancen-Gleichheit.

Meaning Mnemonic: Think of a race 🏁: With Chancengleichheit (equal opportunity), all runners start at the same line (equal chance), even if they run at different speeds (different outcomes).

🔄 Similar and Opposing Terms

⚠️ Caution: Do not confuse with Ergebnisgleichheit (equality of outcome - everyone should receive/achieve the same).

😄 A Little Joke

German: Fragt der Lehrer: „Was ist der Unterschied zwischen Chancengleichheit und Ergebnisgleichheit?“ Antwortet Fritzchen: „Bei Chancengleichheit darf jeder versuchen, den Apfel vom Baum zu pflücken. Bei Ergebnisgleichheit bekommt jeder einen Apfel, egal ob er gepflückt hat oder nicht – oder die Leiter umgeworfen hat.“

English Translation: The teacher asks: "What's the difference between equal opportunity (Chancengleichheit) and equality of outcome (Ergebnisgleichheit)?" Little Fritz answers: "With equal opportunity, everyone gets to try to pick the apple from the tree. With equality of outcome, everyone gets an apple, whether they picked one or not – or knocked over the ladder."

✍️ Poem about Chancengleichheit

German:
Die Chance sei gleich, für Groß und Klein,
ob arm, ob reich, so soll es sein.
Nicht Herkunft zählt, nicht Haut, noch Haar,
urteil allein, was leistbar war. Die Tür steht offen, tritt hinein,
Chancengleichheit lädt dich ein. Ein fairer Start, ein offnes Feld,
so baut man eine bessere Welt.

English Translation:
Let opportunity be equal, for large and small,
Whether poor or rich, thus it shall befall.
Not origin counts, nor skin, nor hair,
Judge only what one could achieve there.
The door stands open, step inside,
Equal opportunity invites with pride.
A fair beginning, an open field,
Thus a better world is revealed.

🧩 Little Riddle

German:
Ich bin ein Prinzip, kein festes Ziel,
ich sorge für Fairness, für gar nicht viel?
Nein, für den Start, den jeder wagt,
damit kein unfairer Vorteil plagt.
Ich steh’ im Gesetz und im Bestreben,
allen die gleichen Möglichkeiten zu geben.

Was bin ich?
Lösung: die Chancengleichheit

English Translation:
I am a principle, not a fixed goal,
I ensure fairness, for not much at all?
No, for the start that everyone dares,
So no unfair advantage ensnares.
I stand in the law and in the endeavor,
To give everyone the same chances forever.

What am I?
Answer: die Chancengleichheit (Equal Opportunity)

💡 Other Information

Word Composition:

The word „Chancengleichheit“ is a compound noun, formed from:

• die Chance (chance, opportunity)
• die Gleichheit (equality)

Since the second part of the compound („Gleichheit“) is feminine and determines the gender of the whole word, „Chancengleichheit“ is also feminine (die Chancengleichheit).

Societal Relevance: Equal opportunity (Chancengleichheit) is a fundamental value in many democratic societies and a core concern of social justice.