German Conversation · Level 23
90 words
German word
Kontrast
Pronunciation
IPA/kɔnˈtʁast/
Meaning
- masculine nouncontrast
Example
Sein Lachen stand in Kontrast zu seiner Traurigkeit.
His laughter contrasted with his sadness.
More examples
Die helle Fläche steht im Kontrast zur dunklen.
The light area stands in contrast to the dark one.
Core concept
Two neighboring elements make each other stand out through a sharp difference, whether in meaning, appearance, or tone.
Common phrases
im Kontrast zu
in contrast to
starker Kontrast
strong contrast
Similar words
Unterschied: A difference noticed when two things are compared.
Differenz: A measurable gap in amount, level, or value.
Gegensatz: A state of being opposite in qualities or ideas.
Definition in German
Starker Unterschied zwischen zwei nebeneinanderstehenden Elementen, der das eine durch das andere hervorhebt.
Word origin
German Kontrast is borrowed from French contraste, ultimately from Latin contrastare, formed from contra 'against' and stare 'to stand'.
Usage tips
- The common pattern is im Kontrast zu plus dative, as in im Kontrast zu seiner Traurigkeit.
Other meanings
- oppositionnoun
Opposites
- Ähnlichkeitsimilaritynoun
- Übereinstimmungagreementnoun
Related words
- kontrastierencontrastverb
- kontrastivcontrastiveadjective
- Kontrastwirkungcontrast effectnoun