die  Gegenüberstellung

B2

Estimated CEFR level.

/ˈɡeːɡn̩ˌʔyːbɐˌʃtɛlʊŋ/

🤔 What does "die Gegenüberstellung" actually mean?

The noun die Gegenüberstellung describes the act of directly comparing or confronting two or more things, people, or situations to highlight differences, similarities, or relationships.

It has two main meanings:

1. Comparison / Juxtaposition: The direct placement of elements side-by-side (e.g., Texte (texts), Daten (data), Bilder (images), Argumente (arguments)) to compare and analyze them. Example: Eine Gegenüberstellung der Vor- und Nachteile (A comparison of the pros and cons).
2. Confrontation / Line-up (esp. in a legal context): A situation where a witness is asked to identify a person (often a suspect) by presenting that person alongside others (with similar appearances). Example: Der Zeuge erkannte den Täter bei der Gegenüberstellung wieder (The witness recognized the perpetrator during the line-up).

Because the word ends in "-ung", it is feminine and takes the article die. 🚨 Common mistake: confusing it with 'der Vergleich' (the comparison), which is masculine but often synonymous in the sense of comparison.

Article rules for der, die, and das

🧐 Grammar in Detail: Declension of "die Gegenüberstellung"

"Die Gegenüberstellung" is a feminine noun. Here are the declension tables (Deklinationstabellen):

📝 Example Sentences

• Die Gegenüberstellung der beiden Angebote machte die Entscheidung leichter.
  (The comparison of the two offers made the decision easier.)
• Die Polizei führte eine Gegenüberstellung durch, um den Einbrecher zu identifizieren.
  (The police conducted a line-up to identify the burglar.)
• In seiner Analyse lieferte er eine detaillierte Gegenüberstellung verschiedener Theorien.
  (In his analysis, he provided a detailed comparison of different theories.)

💡 When and how to use "Gegenüberstellung"?

The use of die Gegenüberstellung depends on the context:

• Im Alltag und Beruf (In everyday life and work): Often used for comparisons of products, services, opinions, data, or concepts. Example: "Können Sie mir eine Gegenüberstellung der Kosten schicken?" (Can you send me a comparison of the costs?)
• In Wissenschaft und Bildung (In science and education): Used to compare research findings, literary texts, historical events, etc. Example: "Die Gegenüberstellung der Manuskripte zeigte interessante Abweichungen." (The juxtaposition/comparison of the manuscripts showed interesting deviations.)
• Im Rechtswesen (In the legal system): Specifically for the identification of suspects by witnesses (police line-up). Here, the meaning is very specific.

It's a rather formal word, especially compared to simpler words like der Vergleich (the comparison). The meaning of "confrontation" in the legal sense is highly specific.

🧠 Mnemonics and Memory Aids

How to remember the article and meaning of "die Gegenüberstellung"?

For the article 'die': Nouns ending in -ung are almost always feminine in German (like die Rechnung - the bill, die Bedeutung - the meaning). So, it's die Gegenüberstellung.

For the meaning: Imagine you 'stand' (Stellung) 'opposite' (gegenüber) someone (confrontation/line-up) or you 'place' (Stellung from stellen - to place) two things 'opposite' each other for comparison (comparison/juxtaposition).

↔️ Synonyms and Antonyms

😄 A Little Joke

Richter zum Zeugen: "Erkannten Sie den Angeklagten bei der Gegenüberstellung wieder?"
Zeuge: "Ja, sofort! Er trug genau denselben Hut wie bei der Tat!"
Richter: "Aber bei der Gegenüberstellung tragen doch alle den gleichen Hut..."
Zeuge: "Eben!"

Judge to the witness: "Did you recognize the defendant during the line-up?"
Witness: "Yes, immediately! He was wearing the exact same hat as during the crime!"
Judge: "But everyone wears the same hat in the line-up..."
Witness: "Exactly!"

✍️ A Little Poem

Zwei Dinge klar und unumwunden,
werden nebeneinander gefunden.
Ob Vor- und Nachteil, gut und schlecht,
die Gegenüberstellung zeigt es recht.
Im Zeugenstand, ein ernster Blick,
wer war's? Ein kurzer Augenblick.
Die Reihe steht, das Urteil naht,
durch diese klare Vergleichstat.

(Two things clear and undisguised,
Are found placed side-by-side.
Whether pro and con, good and bad,
The comparison shows it truly clad.
On the witness stand, a serious gaze,
Who was it? In a brief moment's phase.
The line-up stands, the verdict nears,
Through this clear act that compares/confronts fears.)

❓ A Riddle for You

Ich bringe zwei Seiten zusammen,
um Unterschiede klar zu benamsen.
Manchmal helf ich, Recht zu finden,
wenn Zeugen sich an Täter binden.

Was bin ich?

(I bring two sides together,
To name the differences clear, whatever.
Sometimes I help justice find its way,
When witnesses link culprits on display.

What am I?)
(Answer: die Gegenüberstellung)

🧩 Word Building Blocks: Where does "Gegenüberstellung" come from?

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

• gegenüber: A preposition/adverb meaning 'opposite', 'facing', or 'in comparison to'.
• Stellung: A noun derived from the verb "stellen" (to place, to put, to set), meaning 'position', 'placement', or 'stance'.

Together, they form the meaning: The act of putting things/people into a position where they are opposite each other, either literally or figuratively, for the purpose of comparison or confrontation. The suffix -ung makes it a feminine noun.