Ungerecht

Ungerecht is a German adjective meaning unfair or unjust. It is used to describe actions, decisions, or conditions that fail to conform to standards of fairness or justice. The term can refer to moral judgments as well as to legal or institutional contexts.

Etymology and usage: Ungerecht is formed from the prefix un- meaning “not” and gerecht meaning “just” or “fair.” It functions as an ordinary adjective and can be used both attributively and predicatively. For example, one can say “eine ungerechte Entscheidung” (an unfair decision) or “Die Entscheidung war ungerecht.” It can also act as an adverb in constructions like “er behandelt ihn ungerecht.”

Related terms and derivations: The noun form Ungerechtigkeit denotes injustice. Related adjectives include gerecht (just, fair) and ungerechtfertigt (unjustified or undeserved). In broader discussions, ungerecht may be contrasted with concepts of Rechtsstaatlichkeit, Gleichberechtigung, and Fairness.

Contexts and examples: Ungerecht is common in legal, political, and social discourse, often describing laws, policies, or practices that are perceived as biased or discriminatory. Example sentences include: “Es ist ungerecht, jemanden aufgrund seiner Herkunft zu benachteiligen.” and “Der Prozess war unfair und ungerecht behandelt.”

Translations and nuance: In English, ungerecht is typically translated as unfair or unjust. While related to other negative evaluations of fairness, it emphasizes a lack of justice or equity rather than mere inefficiency or improper behavior.