noun
contrast, opposite
B1
Gegensatz: Masculine noun meaning 'contrast' or 'opposite'. Plural: Gegensätze (Umlaut + -e). Declension examples: der Gegensatz, des Gegensatzes. Common collocation: im Gegensatz zu + dative (in contrast to). Used to show opposition or contradiction between ideas or facts in writing and speech.
Examples
Der Gegensatz zwischen Arm und Reich ist in dieser Stadt sehr groß.
The contrast between rich and poor is very large in this city.
Das ist der genaue Gegensatz dessen, was ich erwartet habe.
That's the exact opposite of what I expected.
Im Gegensatz zu seinem Bruder ist er sehr schüchtern.
Compared to his brother, he is very shy.
Details
Mnemonics
Picture two arrows pointing in opposite directions with the label 'Gegensatz' between them.
Sounds a bit like 'gay-gent-s' — imagine two very different gentlemen to recall 'contrast'.
der — imagine a man (der) standing next to the word to remember masculine gender.
Notes
Used for abstract contrasts as well as to say 'the opposite' of something. Plural: Gegensätze.