German word

unterm

Pronunciation

IPA/ˈʊntɐm/

Meaning

  • prepositionunder

Example

Das Buch liegt unterm Tisch.

The book is under the table.

Illustration for unterm (under)

More examples

Die Katze versteckte sich unterm Bett.

The cat hid under the bed.

Core concept

A nearby object overhead marks the upper boundary of the space where another object is located immediately below it.

Common phrases

  • unterm Tisch

    under the table

  • unterm Bett

    under the bed

  • unterm Sofa

    under the sofa

Similar words

unter: Marks the space or position immediately below another object.
unterhalb: Marks a position lower than something else, without requiring close contact.

Definition in German

Präpositionelle Kurzform von 'unter dem', die angibt, dass sich etwas direkt unterhalb einer anderen Sache befindet und mit dem Dativ (maskulin/neutrum) steht.

Word origin

Unterm developed as the written contraction of the preposition unter and the article dem in the phrase unter dem.

Usage tips

  • Feminine singular and plural nouns require different forms: unter der Brücke and unter den Tischen, not unterm.

Opposites

Related words

Word lists with this word