German Conversation · Level 182
30 words
German word
unterstellen
Pronunciation
IPA/ʊntɐˈʃtɛlən/
Meaning
- verbsuspect
Example
Ich unterstelle dir nicht, dass du gelogen hast.
I don't suspect that you lied.
More examples
Man unterstellt Politikern oft Korruption ohne Beweise.
People often suspect politicians of corruption without evidence.
Core concept
Something is put under a person's authority or name: a task can be assigned there, or an unproven charge can be attached there.
Common phrases
jemandem etwas unterstellen
suspect someone of something
jemandem böse Absichten unterstellen
suspect someone of bad intentions
Similar words
vermuten: To think something is true without clear evidence.
verdächtigen: To suspect someone of a crime or other wrongdoing.
beschuldigen: To directly accuse someone of having done something wrong.
behaupten: To assert that something is true without necessarily offering proof.
Definition in German
Unterstellen bedeutet, jemandem etwas Negatives ohne Beweis zuzuschreiben.
Word origin
The verb is formed from unter ('under') and stellen ('put'), with the literal idea of putting underneath extended to assigning a duty or attributing an unsupported claim.
Usage tips
- The dass construction is common, as in jemandem unterstellen, dass ..., with the person still in the dative.