competitive
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competitive
Having the ability to succeed or keep up with others in economic, athletic, or other kinds of competition.
Um auf dem globalen Markt konkurrenzfähig zu bleiben, muss das Unternehmen seine Produktionskosten senken.
To remain competitive in the global market, the company has to lower its production costs.
The adjective is made up of the noun 'die Konkurrenz' (competition) and the suffix '-fähig' (capable of). The suffix '-fähig' means 'able to do something' and forms many useful adjectives.
Ein Unternehmen muss lernfähig sein, um sich an neue Märkte anzupassen.
A company has to be capable of learning in order to adapt to new markets.
'Konkurrenzfähig' (competitive) is often used to describe economic aspects. Common combinations are 'konkurrenzfähige Preise' (competitive prices), 'ein konkurrenzfähiges Produkt' (a competitive product), or 'ein konkurrenzfähiges Angebot' (a competitive offer).
Durch die neue Maschine kann die Firma ihre Produkte zu konkurrenzfähigen Preisen anbieten.
Thanks to the new machine, the company can offer its products at competitive prices.
Common sentence patterns are 'konkurrenzfähig sein' (to be competitive), 'konkurrenzfähig bleiben' (to remain competitive), and 'jemanden/etwas konkurrenzfähig machen' (to make someone/something competitive). These describe the state, maintaining the state, or creating the state.
Die Firma investiert viel, um international konkurrenzfähig zu bleiben.
The company invests a lot in order to remain internationally competitive.
to put underneath
Here, 'unterlegen' means being in a weaker position in a comparison, not the separable verb 'etwas unterlegen' (to put something underneath). Someone who is 'unterlegen' cannot keep up well with others or loses easily. 'konkurrenzfähig', on the other hand, means that someone or something can hold their own in competition. The word is especially suitable for companies, products, prices, sports, or performance. The contrast is: 'unterlegen' means not strong enough; 'konkurrenzfähig' means strong enough to keep up.
Mit besseren Preisen bleibt der kleine Laden konkurrenzfähig.
With better prices, the small shop remains competitive.
Mit dem alten Fahrrad war er den anderen Fahrern am Berg unterlegen.
With the old bicycle, he was at a disadvantage against the other riders on the hill.