benachteiligen
Translation
to disadvantage, to discriminate against, to put at a disadvantage
Examples
Er fühlte sich vom Lehrer benachteiligt.
He felt disadvantaged by the teacher.
Das neue Gesetz benachteiligt kleine Unternehmen.
The new law disadvantages small businesses.
Grammar Patterns
((sb.)) to disadvantage (sb.) No one may be disadvantaged because of their origin.
((sb.)) ((compared to sb.)) to disadvantage (sb.) compared to (sb.) The boss disadvantages her compared to her colleagues.
Similar Words
Synonyms: diskriminieren (to discriminate); Antonyms: bevorzugen (to prefer), bevorteilen (to favor)
Etymology
From the prefix 'be-' + 'Nachteil' (disadvantage). Literally 'to put a disadvantage on someone'.
Memory Tips
Think of giving someone a 'Nachteil' (disadvantage). The opposite is 'bevorteilen', from 'Vorteil' (advantage).