In 15 Seconds
- To restore fairness after an unfair event occurred.
- A strong, active phrase for fixing moral or social imbalances.
- Common in legal, political, and serious professional contexts.
Meaning
It means making a situation fair again after something wrong happened. It is the active process of fixing an unfair balance, whether in court or at the dinner table.
Key Examples
3 of 6Discussing salary gaps at work
Wir müssen endlich Gerechtigkeit herstellen und Frauen das gleiche Gehalt zahlen.
We must finally establish justice and pay women the same salary.
A parent settling a sibling dispute
Ich werde jetzt Gerechtigkeit herstellen: Jeder bekommt genau zwei Kekse.
I will now establish justice: everyone gets exactly two cookies.
Talking about a court verdict
Durch das Urteil wurde nach vielen Jahren endlich Gerechtigkeit hergestellt.
Through the verdict, justice was finally established after many years.
Cultural Background
The concept of 'Soziale Gerechtigkeit' is a cornerstone of German political identity. It often refers to the redistribution of wealth to ensure a 'level playing field'. In Austria, the 'Sozialpartnerschaft' (social partnership between employers and employees) is the mechanism used to 'Gerechtigkeit herstellen' in the labor market without strikes. Direct democracy is seen as a tool to 'Gerechtigkeit herstellen' by giving citizens the power to veto laws they deem unfair. In modern German offices, 'Gerechtigkeit herstellen' is often linked to 'Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion' (DEI) initiatives.
Use with 'sozial'
If you want to sound like a native speaker discussing politics, always pair it with 'soziale': 'soziale Gerechtigkeit herstellen'.
Separable Verb Alert
Don't forget to put 'her' at the end! 'Die Polizei stellt die Ordnung her.'
In 15 Seconds
- To restore fairness after an unfair event occurred.
- A strong, active phrase for fixing moral or social imbalances.
- Common in legal, political, and serious professional contexts.
What It Means
Imagine someone steals your lunch every day. Eventually, the boss steps in and makes them buy you a new one. That is Gerechtigkeit herstellen. It is the act of restoring balance. It is not just a feeling; it is an action. You are 'producing' or 'manufacturing' fairness where it was missing. In German, herstellen is often used for physical products. Using it with Gerechtigkeit makes the concept feel solid and real. It suggests that justice does not just happen. You have to work to build it.
How To Use It
You use this phrase when a wrong needs correcting. It functions as a standard verb-noun collocation. You can use it in the active voice: Wir müssen Gerechtigkeit herstellen. You can also use it in the passive voice: Gerechtigkeit wurde hergestellt. It sounds a bit weighty and serious. Use it when the stakes feel high. If you use it for small things, it adds a touch of drama. It is like saying 'I shall right this wrong' instead of 'That's not fair.'
When To Use It
This phrase is perfect for professional settings. Use it in office meetings about pay gaps. Use it when discussing legal issues or social politics. It is also great for serious personal conflicts. If a friend betrayed another friend, you might talk about how to fix it. It works well in academic writing too. If you are writing an essay about history, this is your go-to phrase. It shows you understand that justice is a deliberate goal.
When NOT To Use It
Avoid this for very minor, accidental mishaps. If you accidentally trip over your cat, do not say you need to Gerechtigkeit herstellen. That sounds like you are going to sue the cat. Also, do not use it for simple preferences. If you prefer vanilla over chocolate, it is not a matter of justice. It is just a taste. Using such a heavy phrase for trivial things makes you sound like a legal textbook. Keep it for when a moral or ethical line was crossed.
Cultural Background
Germans have a deep cultural respect for Recht (law) and Ordnung (order). Fairness is not just a nice idea; it is a social requirement. This is reflected in the German 'Solidaritätsprinzip' (principle of solidarity). People expect the system to function correctly. When it fails, there is a strong drive to 'repair' it. This phrase captures that 'fix-it' mentality. It treats justice like a broken machine that needs to be put back together.
Common Variations
You will often hear soziale Gerechtigkeit herstellen regarding politics. Another variation is Gerechtigkeit walten lassen. That one is more poetic, like 'letting justice prevail.' You might also see für Gerechtigkeit sorgen. This is a bit more common in everyday speech. It means 'to see to it that there is justice.' However, herstellen remains the most powerful way to describe the active creation of a fair outcome.
Usage Notes
The phrase is neutral to formal. It is most at home in debates, news, and serious discussions about rules. Avoid it in very lighthearted or romantic contexts unless you are being intentionally dramatic.
Use with 'sozial'
If you want to sound like a native speaker discussing politics, always pair it with 'soziale': 'soziale Gerechtigkeit herstellen'.
Separable Verb Alert
Don't forget to put 'her' at the end! 'Die Polizei stellt die Ordnung her.'
The 'Richter' Context
Germans love to use this phrase when talking about the 'Bundesverfassungsgericht' (Federal Constitutional Court).
Synonym for B2+
Try using 'wiederherstellen' if you want to emphasize that things were fair before the incident.
Examples
6Wir müssen endlich Gerechtigkeit herstellen und Frauen das gleiche Gehalt zahlen.
We must finally establish justice and pay women the same salary.
This is a classic professional use regarding social fairness.
Ich werde jetzt Gerechtigkeit herstellen: Jeder bekommt genau zwei Kekse.
I will now establish justice: everyone gets exactly two cookies.
A slightly humorous, dramatic way to handle a small domestic issue.
Durch das Urteil wurde nach vielen Jahren endlich Gerechtigkeit hergestellt.
Through the verdict, justice was finally established after many years.
Used here in the passive voice for a formal legal context.
Der Schiri war schrecklich, aber das späte Tor hat Gerechtigkeit hergestellt!
The ref was terrible, but the late goal established justice!
Casual use in sports to describe a 'fair' outcome despite bad luck.
Unser Ziel ist es, soziale Gerechtigkeit im ganzen Land herzustellen.
Our goal is to establish social justice throughout the country.
Very formal and common in political rhetoric.
Ich möchte den Fehler korrigieren und wieder Gerechtigkeit herstellen.
I want to correct the mistake and establish justice again.
Shows a sincere desire to make things right after an error.
Test Yourself
Fülle die Lücke mit der richtigen Form von 'herstellen'. Achte auf die Satzstruktur!
Der neue Minister versprach, in den armen Regionen mehr Gerechtigkeit ______.
Nach 'versprechen' + 'zu' brauchen wir den Infinitiv mit zu. Bei trennbaren Verben steht das 'zu' zwischen Präfix und Verb.
Welcher Satz ist grammatikalisch korrekt?
Wähle den richtigen Satz:
'Herstellen' ist trennbar und das Standardverb für diese Kollokation.
Vervollständige den Dialog.
A: Warum protestieren die Menschen? B: Sie finden das neue Gesetz unfair. Sie wollen, dass die Regierung endlich ______.
In einem Nebensatz (mit 'dass') steht das konjugierte Verb am Ende und wird nicht getrennt.
In welcher Situation passt 'Gerechtigkeit herstellen' am besten?
Wähle die passende Situation:
Dies ist eine formelle Korrektur eines signifikanten Unrechts.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Gerechtigkeit vs. Fairness
Practice Bank
4 exercisesDer neue Minister versprach, in den armen Regionen mehr Gerechtigkeit ______.
Nach 'versprechen' + 'zu' brauchen wir den Infinitiv mit zu. Bei trennbaren Verben steht das 'zu' zwischen Präfix und Verb.
Wähle den richtigen Satz:
'Herstellen' ist trennbar und das Standardverb für diese Kollokation.
A: Warum protestieren die Menschen? B: Sie finden das neue Gesetz unfair. Sie wollen, dass die Regierung endlich ______.
In einem Nebensatz (mit 'dass') steht das konjugierte Verb am Ende und wird nicht getrennt.
Wähle die passende Situation:
Dies ist eine formelle Korrektur eines signifikanten Unrechts.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
12 questionsIt's a bit too formal. For a pizza, just say 'fair teilen'.
Yes, in all its meanings (to manufacture, to establish, to produce).
'Gerechtigkeit' is more formal and legal; 'Fairness' is more about sportsmanship and personal behavior.
That's different! Use 'einem Thema gerecht werden'.
No 'an'. It takes a direct accusative object: 'Gerechtigkeit herstellen'.
Yes, 'Gerechtigkeit muss hergestellt werden' is very common in writing.
Yes, it is standard German (Hochdeutsch) used across all DACH countries.
There isn't a direct opposite phrase, but 'Unrecht begehen' (to commit an injustice) is the starting point.
No, that sounds like justice is a physical product from a factory. Stick to 'herstellen'.
Yes, often when talking about divine justice or 'Gottes Gerechtigkeit'.
It is typically introduced at B2 because of its abstract nature and formal register.
Metaphorically, yes. It implies that justice is something that must be actively created.
Related Phrases
Wiedergutmachung leisten
similarTo provide compensation or make amends.
Recht sprechen
specialized formTo pass judgment (by a judge).
Fairness walten lassen
similarTo let fairness prevail.
Ein Unrecht sühnen
contrastTo atone for a wrong.
Den Status Quo wiederherstellen
similarTo restore the status quo.
