German word

kompensieren

Pronunciation

IPA/kɔmpɛnˈziːʁən/

Meaning

  • verbmake up for

Example

Ich kompensiere meine Fehler durch harte Arbeit.

I make up for my mistakes by working hard.

Illustration for kompensieren (make up for)

More examples

Die Versicherung kompensiert den entstandenen Schaden.

The insurance company compensates for the damage incurred.

Core concept

A set of scales stays level when a missing weight is replaced by an equivalent counterweight.

Common phrases

  • kompensieren den Verlust

    make up for the loss

  • kompensieren den CO2-Ausstoß

    offset CO2 emissions

  • kompensieren den Mehraufwand

    make up for the additional effort

Similar words

ausgleichen: Restore balance by removing a difference or unevenness.
aufwiegen: Counter a deficiency or disadvantage with an equivalent benefit.
entschädigen: Provide compensation for harm or financial loss.
wiedergutmachen: Repair the damage caused by an error through appropriate action.

Definition in German

etwas Fehlendes oder einen Schaden durch Ersatz oder Gegenmaßnahme wettmachen.

Word origin

German kompensieren comes from Latin compensare, formed from com- 'together' and pensare 'weigh repeatedly', and originally referred to balancing weights.

Usage tips

  • Kompensieren takes a direct accusative object, while durch plus accusative commonly introduces the means of compensation.

Other meanings

  • compensateverb
  • offsetverb

Related words

  • Kompensationcompensationnoun
  • kompensatorischcompensatoryadjective
  • kompensierbarcompensableadjective

Word lists with this word