to emphasize / highlight
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to emphasize
To especially emphasize or underline something in order to show its importance.
In seiner Rede wollte der Direktor vor allem die gute Teamarbeit hervorheben.
In his speech, the director primarily wanted to emphasize the good teamwork.
to highlight
To mark something visually so that it stands out more, for example with color or bold type.
Wichtige Begriffe sind im Text farbig hervorgehoben.
Important terms are highlighted in color in the text.
to stand out
To distinguish oneself or stand out from others through special qualities or achievements.
Sie hebt sich durch ihre außergewöhnliche Kreativität von den anderen Bewerbern ab.
She stands out from the other applicants through her exceptional creativity.
'Hervorheben' (to emphasize/highlight) is a separable verb. The prefix 'hervor-' comes at the end in a main clause. In subordinate clauses and in the infinitive with 'zu', the verb stays together.
Er hebt in seiner Präsentation die wichtigsten Punkte hervor.
He emphasizes the most important points in his presentation.
The verb is made up of 'hervor' (forth, out) and 'heben' (to lift). Literally, it therefore means to 'lift something forward' so that it is more visible or noticeable.
Die Sprecherin hob die Bedeutung des Umweltschutzes hervor.
The speaker emphasized the importance of environmental protection.
When emphasizing something in a figurative sense, typical objects are abstract nouns. For example, you can emphasize importance, significance, an aspect, or an achievement.
Ich möchte die gute Zusammenarbeit im Team hervorheben.
I would like to emphasize the good cooperation within the team.
The meaning 'to mark visually' can often be recognized from the context. Words like 'farbig' (in color), 'fett' (bold), 'kursiv' (italic), or 'im Text' (in the text) indicate that it is about visual emphasis.
Bitte heben Sie alle wichtigen Termine im Kalender farbig hervor.
Please highlight all important dates in the calendar in color.
In this meaning, the verb is used reflexively: 'sich hervorheben' (to stand out). The group from which one differs is named with the preposition 'von' (+ dative). The reason for the distinction is often expressed with 'durch' (+ accusative).
Er hebt sich durch seine Disziplin von den anderen Sportlern ab.
He stands out from the other athletes through his discipline.
to emphasize / stress
Betonen and hervorheben both direct attention to an important point. Betonen gives it explicit weight, especially through a statement. Hervorheben can mean this as well, but it can also refer to making something visibly stand out from other things, for example through bold type or color.
Die Leiterin hebt denselben Sicherheitshinweis im Dokument fett hervor.
In the document, the manager highlights the same safety notice in bold.
Die Leiterin betont im Gespräch den wichtigen Sicherheitshinweis.
During the conversation, the manager emphasizes the important safety notice.
