Gemäss

Gemäss is a German preposition that translates to "according to" or "in accordance with" in English. It is used to indicate that a statement, action, or belief is based on a particular source, rule, or authority. For example, one might say "Gemäss dem Gesetz ist dies verboten" which means "According to the law, this is forbidden." The word is commonly used in legal, administrative, and formal contexts, but can also appear in everyday speech.

The usage of "gemäss" often implies adherence to a specific standard or guideline. It signifies that the information or action being presented is not arbitrary but has a foundation in something external. It can be used with different cases, most commonly with the dative case, as in "gemäss dem Gesetz" (according to the law). However, it can also be used with the genitive case in more formal or older texts, such as "gemäss der Vorschrift" (in accordance with the regulation).

In modern German, "gemäss" is a widely accepted and understood term. Its English equivalents, "according to" and "in accordance with," capture its essence well. When encountering "gemäss" in a text, it is helpful to identify the source or basis being referenced to fully understand the meaning. It serves as a connector, linking a statement to its origin or justification.