vergleichbar

Vergleichbar is a German adjective meaning comparable or able to be compared. It describes objects, data, quantities, or criteria that can be assessed against one another using the same standards or units. In everyday and technical language, something is described as vergleichbar when a fair or meaningful comparison between it and another item is possible.

Etymology and form: vergleichbar is formed from the verb vergleichen (to compare) with the suffix -bar, which denotes capability. The standard form is vergleichbar; some texts or dialects may occasionally use vergleichtbar, but vergleichbar is far more common in contemporary usage. The noun corresponding to the concept is Vergleichbarkeit (comparability).

Usage: The term is widely used in science, economics, and everyday language. Examples include vergleichbare Daten (comparable data), vergleichbare Größen (comparable quantities), or vergleichbare Kriterien (comparable criteria). It is often paired with phrases that indicate the conditions for comparison, such as under similar assumptions or with the same measurement units. In mathematics and statistics, the notion of comparability is tied to using common scales, units, or criteria to draw meaningful conclusions.

Related terms: Vergleichen is the verb for “to compare,” and Vergleich or Vergleichbarkeit refers to the act of comparison and the property of being comparable, respectively. Not comparable (nicht vergleichbar) is used to denote the opposite. The term is distinct from but related to related concepts like proportionality, similarity, and standardization, which may affect whether items are vergleichbar.

Overall, vergleichbar serves as a concise descriptor for the feasibility and validity of comparisons across a wide range of disciplines.