Gegenübers

Gegenüber is a German noun that refers to the other person or thing that is facing someone, i.e., the counterpart, or the opposite side. In everyday language it can mean the person opposite one’s seat or position, a counterpart in a conversation or negotiation, or the thing that lies across from something else. The form des Gegenübers is the genitive singular, and the plural is rarely used in everyday speech; speakers more often rely on the singular Gegenüber or rephrase to indicate multiple counterparts.

Etymology and usage

The word combines Gegen- (against, opposite) and über (over, across), conveying the sense of facing or being opposite to someone or something. As a noun, Gegenüber typically appears in fixed expressions such as das Gegenüber (the other person) and bezeichnet in many contexts a social partner, an interlocutor, or a contracting party. In spatial language, Gegenüber is used with an implicit reference to a location or object across from a reference point, as in a building or street: das Geschäft gegenüber dem Bahnhof.

Philosophical and social meaning

In philosophy and social theory, Gegenüber is especially associated with the concept of the Other or the counterpart in dialogic encounter. In the work of Martin Buber and related discussions, the Gegenüber denotes the other as an irreplaceable presence that affects the self through genuine dialogue. The term thus spans everyday interaction and more abstract reflections on relationship, recognition, and ethical responsibility.

See also

Gegenüberstellung (comparison or juxtaposition) and Gegenüber (the opposite side or person in general). The term Gegenübers primarily appears in the genitive des Gegenübers, with plural usage being uncommon in standard prose.