die  Diskriminierung

B2

Estimated CEFR level.

/dɪskʁɪmɪniˈʁʊŋ/

⚖️ What does "die Diskriminierung" mean?

Die Diskriminierung translates to discrimination in English. It refers to the unjustified disadvantage or unequal treatment of individuals or groups based on certain characteristics. These characteristics can include, for example, origin, gender, religion, worldview, disability, age, or sexual identity.

So, it's about treating people worse than others in a comparable situation without an objective reason. Diskriminierung can happen openly or subtly, consciously or unconsciously, and occur in many areas of life (e.g., at the workplace, when looking for housing, in the education system).

🚨 Important: Diskriminierung is not the same as mere differentiation (Differenzierung). A differentiation might be objectively justified, while Diskriminierung, by definition, is not.

Article rules for der, die, and das

🧐 Grammar in Detail: Die Diskriminierung

The word Diskriminierung is a feminine noun. Therefore, the article is always "die".

Declension of "die Diskriminierung"

Like most feminine nouns ending in "-ung", its declension is quite regular.

Example Sentences

• Die Diskriminierung am Arbeitsplatz ist gesetzlich verboten.
  (Discrimination in the workplace is prohibited by law.)
• Er kämpfte gegen die Diskriminierung von Minderheiten.
  (He fought against the discrimination of minorities.)
• Sie wurde Opfer rassistischer Diskriminierung.
  (She became a victim of racist discrimination.)
• Es gibt verschiedene Formen von Diskriminierungen.
  (There are different forms of discrimination.)

🗣️ How is "Diskriminierung" used?

Diskriminierung is a central term in social, political, and legal discourse.

• Context: It is used in discussions about human rights, equality, social justice, and anti-discrimination laws (like the Allgemeines Gleichbehandlungsgesetz - AGG in Germany).
• Typical Combinations: The word is often combined with specific forms, e.g.:
  • rassistische Diskriminierung (racist discrimination)
  • geschlechtsspezifische Diskriminierung (gender discrimination / sexism)
  • Diskriminierung aufgrund des Alters (age discrimination / ageism)
  • Diskriminierung wegen einer Behinderung (discrimination due to disability)
  • Diskriminierung aufgrund der sexuellen Orientierung (discrimination based on sexual orientation)
  • religiöse Diskriminierung (religious discrimination)
• Distinction: It's important to distinguish it from Differenzierung (differentiation, often objectively justified) and Bevorzugung (preferential treatment, positive discrimination, e.g., quotas, which can also be controversial). Mobbing (bullying) can be a form of Diskriminierung, but they are not identical concepts.

The word carries a strong negative connotation and describes behavior that is socially and legally condemned.

🧠 Mnemonics

1. Article Mnemonic: Most German nouns ending in "-ung" are feminine (die). Think of die Meinung (opinion), die Hoffnung (hope), die Rechnung (bill)... and, of course, die Diskriminierung. The "-ung" ending is a good friend of "die"!
2. Meaning Mnemonic: Imagine someone treating another person unfairly – it's like a crime scene (Krimi in German, part of the word: Dis-krimi-nierung). This unfair treatment, setting someone apart negatively, is the 'crime' of Diskriminierung. Alternatively, think of the English word 'discriminate' – Diskriminierung is the noun form of the same concept.

🔄 Synonyms & Antonyms

⚠️ Potential for Confusion:

• Differenzierung: Means differentiation or distinction, often fact-based and neutral (e.g., price differentiation - Preisdifferenzierung). Don't confuse it with the unjustified unequal treatment implied by Diskriminierung.

😄 A Little Joke (Not about the topic itself!)

Warum hat der Gärtner immer gute Laune?

Weil er jede Diskriminierung von Unkraut rigoros bekämpft und nur die schönsten Blumen gleich behandelt! 🌱 😉

English Translation:

Why is the gardener always in a good mood?

Because he rigorously fights any discrimination against weeds and treats only the most beautiful flowers equally! 🌱 😉

(Okay, it's a bit corny, but discrimination isn't a funny topic. Let's stick to a harmless joke.)

📜 A Little Poem

Ob Haut, ob Glaube, Mann ob Frau,
ob Alter, Herkunft, schau genau:
Ein Mensch ist Mensch, so soll es sein,
die Diskriminierung, die muss klein.
Respekt und Achtung, Hand in Hand,
für Vielfalt in dem ganzen Land.

English Translation:

Be it skin, belief, man or woman's face,
Be it age or origin, look closely at the space:
A person's a person, that's how it should be,
Discrimination must be small, for all to see.
Respect and regard, walking hand in hand,
For diversity throughout the land.

❓ Riddle

Ich bin eine Handlung, oft versteckt, manchmal klar,
die Menschen trennt, das ist leider wahr.
Ich schaue nicht auf das, was jemand kann oder ist,
sondern auf Merkmale, zu Unrecht, zu jeder Frist.
Gesetze versuchen, mich zu verbannen,
doch in Köpfen und Herzen muss der Wandel anfangen.

Was bin ich? Lösung: die Diskriminierung

English Translation:

I am an action, often hidden, sometimes clear,
That separates people, sadly, it's true, my dear.
I don't look at what someone can do or who they are inside,
But at characteristics, unjustly, with nowhere to hide.
Laws try to banish me from the land,
But change must start in hearts and minds, close at hand.

What am I? Solution: die Diskriminierung (discrimination)

🌐 More Interesting Facts

• Word Origin: The word comes from the Latin verb discriminare, meaning “to separate, distinguish, set apart”.
• Verb: The corresponding verb is diskriminieren. (Example: Er fühlt sich diskriminiert. - He feels discriminated against.)
• Adjective: The adjective is diskriminierend. (Example: eine diskriminierende Äußerung - a discriminatory remark.)
• Legal Significance: Diskriminierung is a key concept in international law, European law, and national law (e.g., in the German Basic Law - Grundgesetz and the General Equal Treatment Act - AGG). Numerous organizations and advice centers campaign against discrimination.