to mark / pretend
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to mark
To label or mark something in order to highlight it, find it again, or identify it. This can be done with color, a symbol, or another method.
Bitte markieren Sie die wichtigsten Stellen im Text mit einem Textmarker.
Please mark the most important passages in the text with a highlighter.
The verb 'markieren' (to mark) belongs to the word family of 'die Marke' (mark, sign, label) and 'die Markierung' (the act of marking or the mark itself).
Die Wanderwege sind mit farbigen Markierungen an den Bäumen gekennzeichnet.
The hiking trails are marked with colored markings on the trees.
You can recognize the meaning from the context: If it is about text or places, it means 'kennzeichnen' (to mark/label). If the object is a role ('den Chef' — the boss), it means 'vortäuschen' (to pretend). If the subject is an animal, it is usually about territory.
Markier bitte alle wichtigen Termine im Kalender.
Please mark all important dates in the calendar.
When marking or labeling something, the structure 'etwas (Akkusativ) mit etwas (Dativ) markieren' is often used to name the tool or method.
Ich habe die Fehler im Dokument mit roter Farbe markiert.
I marked the errors in the document with red ink.
In the meaning 'vortäuschen' (to pretend), 'markieren' is used colloquially and often disparagingly. Typical objects are roles or qualities such as 'den starken Mann' (the strong man), 'den Experten' (the expert), or 'den Clown' (the clown).
Er markiert immer den großen Kenner, hat aber von nichts eine Ahnung.
He's always pretending to be the great expert, but he doesn't know anything about anything.
The meaning 'ein Revier abgrenzen' (to define a territory) is used almost exclusively in biological contexts for animals. The subject of the sentence is then typically an animal.
Wölfe markieren ihr Territorium mit Duftstoffen, um andere Rudel fernzuhalten.
Wolves mark their territory with scents to keep other packs away.
to call / mark
'bezeichnen' and 'markieren' can both mean making something recognizable. 'bezeichnen' sounds more general: you provide something with a sign or make clear what it is. 'markieren' is used especially when you visibly highlight something, for example with color, a check mark, or a line. The words can be confused when talking about marks on objects or texts. As a practical tip: if something should stand out or be easy to find again, 'markieren' is usually more natural.
Bitte markiere die wichtigen Wörter im Text mit einem gelben Stift.
Please mark the important words in the text with a yellow pen.
Auf dem Plan bezeichnet ein roter Kreis den Treffpunkt.
On the map, a red circle marks the meeting point.