German word

demgegenüber

Pronunciation

IPA/ˈdeːmgeːgŋ̩ˌyːbɐ/

Meaning

  • adverbin contrast

Example

Das Wetter ist hier kalt, demgegenüber ist es dort warm.

The weather is cold here; in contrast, it is warm there.

Illustration for demgegenüber (in contrast)

More examples

Er arbeitet viel, demgegenüber hat er wenig Freizeit.

He works a lot; in contrast, he has little free time.

Core concept

A second statement stands across from the first, making their opposing points visible.

Common phrases

  • demgegenüber steht

    in contrast stands ___

Similar words

dagegen: Marks disagreement with or opposition to a previous statement.
andererseits: Draws attention to a different side or point of view.
hingegen: Shows how something differs from another thing, often in written language.

Definition in German

Drückt einen Gegensatz zu etwas zuvor Gesagtem aus.

Word origin

Demgegenüber combines dem, the dative form of der or das, with gegenüber, meaning "opposite" or "across from," to mark a contrast.

Usage tips

  • Demgegenüber often introduces a contrasting clause in formal or written German, while dagegen and aber are more common in casual speech.

Other meanings

  • converselyadverb

Opposites

Related words

  • Gegenübercounterpartnoun
  • Gegenüberstellungcomparisonnoun
  • gegenüberstellencompareverb

Word lists with this word