GesetzvsGesetzeWhat's the difference?

Which to use

“Gesetz” and “Gesetze” are a confusable German pair: similar on the page, but distinct in meaning, check the gloss before you choose.

#1,058
“Gesetz” frequency rank
#2,341
“Gesetze” frequency rank
3399
confusion score

Side-by-Side Comparison

Feature Gesetz Gesetze
Definition Regel, die ein Gesetzgeber in einem bestimmten Verfahren erlässt und die die jeweilig Untergebenen zu befolgen haben Variante für den Dativ Singular des Substantivs Gesetz

Where the spellings diverge

Shared letters are muted; the letters that actually set Gesetz and Gesetze apart are highlighted. They share 6 letters in sequence, which is exactly why the eye skips the difference.

6 ch
Gesetz
7 ch
Gesetze

Spelling & Dictionary Insight

Gesetz and Gesetze form a confusable pair in the German index, two distinct headwords that are easily confused because they look alike, sound alike, or both. They differ by 1 extra letter(s) - “Gesetz” sits inside “Gesetze” - close enough that the eye skips over the difference, far enough that meaning fully diverges. Our composite confusion score for this pair is 3399, derived from the frequency rank of both members and their visual similarity.

Gesetz is recorded at frequency rank #1,058, classified as anoun, pronounced [ɡəˈzɛt͡s]. Gesetze is at rank #2,341, tagged as anoun, pronounced [ɡəˈzɛt͡sə].

Glosses for this pair are partially populated in our dataset, but the full side-by-side definitions above should still guide you to the right choice.

With a confusion score of 3399, this pair ranks #2,000,298 of 2,006,359 scored German confusable pairs - a relatively easy-to-tell-apart pair.

Frequency comparison

Gesetz#1,058
Gesetze#2,341

Source: FrequencyWords open word-frequency list

Frequently Asked Questions

Can "Gesetz" and "Gesetze" be used interchangeably?
No, "Gesetz" and "Gesetze" have distinct meanings and cannot be swapped without changing the meaning of a sentence. Understanding the specific definition and context for each word is essential for correct usage.

Remembering Gesetz vs Gesetze

The fastest way to pick the right one every time.

  • Read both glosses above and match the meaning you intend, only context separates this pair.
  • See each word in full, definition, IPA, etymology and its other confusables. Full “Gesetz” entry
  • Browse more pairs most likely to be confused. Most confusable

Source: Wiktionary (via kaikki.org) Structured Wiktionary extract

Source: FrequencyWords open word-frequency list FrequencyWords open word-frequency list