German Conversation · Level 154
30 words
German word
unterwerfen
Pronunciation
IPA/ˌʊntɐˈvɛɐ̯fn̩/
Meaning
- verbsubdue
Example
Der König unterwarf das Land.
The king subdued the country.
More examples
Die Firma hat sich den neuen Vorschriften unterworfen.
The company has subjected itself to the new regulations.
Core concept
A stronger power pushes a person or country beneath its control until resistance gives way.
Common phrases
etwas einem Gesetz unterwerfen
subject ___ to a law
sich einer Kontrolle unterwerfen
submit oneself to control
Similar words
zwingen: Compel someone to act through force, threats, or strong pressure.
gehorchen: Do what an authority commands or what rules require.
sich fügen: Give in to another person's demands or to the situation.
unterdrücken: Keep people under control by limiting their freedom and resistance.
Definition in German
durch Zwang oder Macht jemanden dazu bringen, Gehorsam zu zeigen.
Word origin
Unterwerfen combines unter- ('under') with werfen ('throw'), and the older image of throwing someone underlies the later sense of forcing submission.
Usage tips
- The reflexive form sich unterwerfen means that the subject submits or surrenders to another power.
Other meanings
- submitverb
- conquerverb
Opposites
- emanzipierenemancipateverb
Related words
- Unterwerfungsubmissionnoun
- unterwerfendsubjugatingadjective