German word

diskriminieren

Pronunciation

IPA/dɪskʁimiˈniːʁən/

Meaning

  • verbdiscriminate against

Example

Man darf niemanden diskriminieren.

No one may discriminate against anyone.

Illustration for diskriminieren (discriminate against)

More examples

Man sollte niemanden wegen der Herkunft diskriminieren.

One should not discriminate against anyone because of their origin.

Core concept

A person is pushed to the back of a queue because of origin, gender, age, or another personal feature.

Common phrases

  • jemanden diskriminieren

    discriminate against someone

  • jemanden wegen der Herkunft diskriminieren

    discriminate against someone because of their origin

Similar words

benachteiligen: Put someone at a disadvantage by reducing their opportunities or access.
ausschließen: Keep someone from taking part or using a service by shutting them out.
ausstoßen: Drive someone out of a group and break off social ties.
stigmatisieren: Attach a damaging social label that lowers respect or goodwill.

Definition in German

aufgrund von Merkmalen wie Herkunft, Geschlecht oder Alter Menschen ungleich behandeln und dadurch benachteiligen

Word origin

German diskriminieren comes through French discriminer from Latin discriminare, 'to distinguish', whose sense developed toward unfair distinction.

Usage tips

  • Unlike English 'discriminate', which can also mean distinguish neutrally, German diskriminieren normally refers to unfair treatment and takes a direct object.

Opposites

  • gleichbehandelntreat equallyverb

Related words

Word lists with this word