adjective

vergleichbar

comparable

So ähnlich, dass man zwei oder mehr Dinge gut nebeneinander stellen und ihre Unterschiede oder Gemeinsamkeiten sehen kann.

Definition & meaning

vergleichbar means comparable: similar enough to be compared, or capable of being compared.

Depending on context, it can describe:

things that are alike in relevant ways: The two products are comparable in price.
things that can be meaningfully compared: These results are not comparable.

Grammar & word origin

vergleichbar is an adjective. It is formed from the verb vergleichen (“to compare”) and the suffix -bar, which often means “able to be” or “capable of being.” Literally, it means “able to be compared.”

The adjective takes standard German adjective endings: vergleichbare prices, ein vergleichbarer case. Its comparative and superlative forms are vergleichbarer and am vergleichbarsten.

Synonyms & antonyms

ähnlich — “similar”; emphasizes resemblance, while vergleichbar stresses that a comparison is possible or appropriate.
gleichartig — “of the same kind”; more specifically indicates that things share a type or nature.
unvergleichbar — “incomparable”; may mean impossible to compare, but often means exceptionally outstanding.
nicht vergleichbar — “not comparable”; a straightforward opposite when a meaningful comparison cannot be made.