marked / characterized
Loading your saved state.
marked
Provided with a sign, marking, or label in order to identify something, give a warning, or provide information.
Der Wanderweg ist durchgehend mit roten Punkten gekennzeichnet.
The hiking trail is marked throughout with red dots.
characterized by
Describes that something has a particular, typical feature or quality. It is used to describe the essential nature of something.
Seine Arbeit ist durch große Präzision und Kreativität gekennzeichnet.
His work is characterized by great precision and creativity.
The word is the past participle of the verb 'kennzeichnen' (to mark / to label / to characterize). This is made up of 'kennen' (to know) and 'Zeichen' (sign). So it literally means to provide something with an identifying sign.
Bitte kennzeichnen Sie die richtige Antwort mit einem Kreuz.
Please mark the correct answer with a cross.
The preposition reveals the meaning: 'gekennzeichnet mit' (marked with) describes a concrete marking. 'Gekennzeichnet durch' (characterized by) describes an abstract, characteristic quality.
Der Notausgang ist mit einem grünen Schild gekennzeichnet.
The emergency exit is marked with a green sign.
To indicate the function or category of a marking, the preposition 'als' (as) is used. The structure is: 'als etwas gekennzeichnet sein' (to be marked as something).
Diese Chemikalien müssen als gefährlich gekennzeichnet werden.
These chemicals must be marked as dangerous.
In this abstract meaning, the expression 'gekennzeichnet sein durch' (to be characterized by) + accusative is very common. It is often used to describe the character of a person, a period, or a work.
Das 20. Jahrhundert war durch große technische Fortschritte gekennzeichnet.
The 20th century was characterized by great technological advances.
