hervorstechen
to stand out
To be particularly noticeable because something or someone visibly differs from its surroundings.
EXAMPLE
Das leuchtend rote Dach sticht schon von Weitem hervor.
The bright red roof stands out even from a distance.
hervorstechen
to stand out
hervorstechen – stach hervor – hat hervorgestochen
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Meanings
hervorstechen
to stand out
To distinguish oneself from others through special abilities, qualities, or achievements and thereby attract particularly positive attention.
EXAMPLE
Sie sticht im Team durch ihre ausgezeichneten Sprachkenntnisse hervor.
She stands out in the team because of her excellent language skills.
Forms
Forms adapted from the German Wiktionary entry hervorstechen, by Wiktionary contributors, licence CC BY-SA 4.0.
Present
| ich | steche hervor |
|---|---|
| du | stichst hervor |
| er/sie/es | sticht hervor |
| wir | stechen hervor |
| ihr | stecht hervor |
| sie | stechen hervor |
Simple past
| ich | stach hervor |
|---|---|
| du | stachst hervor |
| er/sie/es | stach hervor |
| wir | stachen hervor |
| ihr | stacht hervor |
| sie | stachen hervor |
Perfect
with haben
| ich | habe hervorgestochen |
|---|---|
| du | hast hervorgestochen |
| er/sie/es | hat hervorgestochen |
| wir | haben hervorgestochen |
| ihr | habt hervorgestochen |
| sie | haben hervorgestochen |
Commands
| du | stich hervor! |
|---|---|
| ihr | stecht hervor! |
| Sie | stechen Sie hervor! |
Past perfect
| ich | hatte hervorgestochen |
|---|---|
| du | hattest hervorgestochen |
| er/sie/es | hatte hervorgestochen |
| wir | hatten hervorgestochen |
| ihr | hattet hervorgestochen |
| sie | hatten hervorgestochen |
Future
| ich | werde hervorstechen |
|---|---|
| du | wirst hervorstechen |
| er/sie/es | wird hervorstechen |
| wir | werden hervorstechen |
| ihr | werdet hervorstechen |
| sie | werden hervorstechen |
Subjunctive I
| ich | steche hervor |
|---|---|
| du | stechest hervor |
| er/sie/es | steche hervor |
| wir | stechen hervor |
| ihr | stechet hervor |
| sie | stechen hervor |
Used for reported speech.
Subjunctive II
| ich | stäche hervor |
|---|---|
| du | stächest hervor stächst hervor |
| er/sie/es | stäche hervor |
| wir | stächen hervor |
| ihr | stächet hervor stächt hervor |
| sie | stächen hervor |
Used for wishes and “would”.
Other forms
| infinitive | hervorstechen |
|---|---|
| with zu | hervorzustechen |
| present participle | hervorstechend |
| past participle | hervorgestochen |
Usage tips
Separable verb
'Hervorstechen' (to stand out) consists of 'hervor' and 'stechen' and is separated in a main clause. In a subordinate clause, the verb remains together; in the infinitive with 'zu', 'zu' is placed between the prefix and the stem.
EXAMPLE
Die helle Jacke sticht in der Menge sofort hervor.
The bright jacket immediately stands out in the crowd.
Alle bemerkten, dass ihr rotes Kleid besonders hervorstach.
Everyone noticed that her red dress stood out in particular.
Sie versucht nicht, in der Gruppe hervorzustechen.
She is trying not to stand out in the group.
Word formation
The verb combines 'hervor' with the image of 'stechen' (stabbing): something is imagined as projecting out from its surroundings and thus becomes visible or noticeable. This image explains both meanings of the verb.
EXAMPLE
Der goldene Turm sticht zwischen den grauen Häusern deutlich hervor.
The golden tower stands out clearly among the gray buildings.
Typical collocations
When referring to visible features, 'hervorstechen' (to stand out) is often used with information about color, shape, or surroundings. Typical collocations include 'farblich hervorstechen' (to stand out in terms of color), 'aus der Menge hervorstechen' (to stand out from the crowd), and 'deutlich hervorstechen' (to stand out clearly).
EXAMPLE
Das blau gestrichene Fenster sticht farblich aus der weißen Fassade hervor.
The blue-painted window stands out in terms of color against the white façade.
Outstanding achievements
When people attract attention through their abilities or achievements, 'hervorstechen' (to stand out) is often used with 'durch' (through) and a quality. 'Unter den Bewerbern' (among the applicants) or 'im Team' (in the team) also often describes the area in which someone stands out.
EXAMPLE
Unter allen Bewerbern stach sie durch ihre Auslandserfahrung hervor.
She stood out among all the applicants because of her international experience.
In real life
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