German word

relativieren

Pronunciation

IPA/ʁelatiˈviːʁən/

Meaning

  • verbput into perspective

Example

Ich relativiere meine Aussage.

I put my statement into perspective.

Illustration for relativieren (put into perspective)

More examples

Er will eine Aussage relativieren.

He wants to put a statement into perspective.

Core concept

A strong statement placed beside other facts so that its force seems less absolute.

Common phrases

  • eine Aussage relativieren

    put a statement into perspective

  • seine Meinung relativieren

    put one's opinion into perspective

  • die Bedeutung relativieren

    put the importance into perspective

Similar words

abmildern: Making wording or an expression softer in tone or impact.
abschwächen: Reducing the force or effect of a claim.
nuancieren: Adding subtle distinctions to an opinion or expression.
einordnen: Placing something within its background and broader circumstances.

Definition in German

eine Aussage, Bewertung oder Zahl in Bezug zu anderem setzen, sodass sie weniger absolut wirkt

Word origin

The German verb relativieren derives from relativ, ultimately from Latin relativus 'relative', with the verb-forming ending -ieren.

Usage tips

  • Like other verbs ending in -ieren, relativieren forms its past participle without ge-: relativiert, not gerelativiert.

Other meanings

  • softenverb

Opposites

Related words

  • Relativierungrelativizationnoun
  • relativierbarable to be put into perspectiveadjective

Word lists with this word