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.
'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 mean that something should receive more attention. 'betonen' is often used when you show through words that something is important. 'hervorheben' is a bit broader: you can highlight an idea, but you can also make a word in a text stand out visually through color or bold type. When someone is speaking, 'betonen' sounds very natural. When something is meant to stand out especially, either in terms of content or visually, 'hervorheben' often fits very well.
Zur Vorbereitung heben wir die wichtigsten Zahlen im Bericht farbig hervor.
To prepare, we highlight the most important figures in the report in color.
Meine Kollegin betont am Morgen, dass alle Unterlagen vollständig sein müssen.
In the morning, my colleague emphasizes that all documents must be complete.