To officially and formally present a proposal, offer, or plan to someone so that they can consider it or make a decision about it.
example
Die Agentur wird uns morgen einen ersten Entwurf für die Werbekampagne unterbreiten.
The agency will submit an initial draft for the advertising campaign to us tomorrow.
Usage tips
Inseparable verb
'Unterbreiten' (to submit/present) is an inseparable verb. The prefix 'unter-' remains firmly attached to the verb stem in all tenses and sentence constructions.
EXAMPLE
Er unterbreitete seinem Chef einen neuen Plan.
He presented his boss with a new plan.
Sentence structure with dative
This verb almost always requires a person in the dative (to whom?) and a thing in the accusative (what?). The structure is: someone submits/presents something (accusative) to someone (dative). In German: Jemand unterbreitet jemandem (Dativ) etwas (Akkusativ).
EXAMPLE
Das Komitee unterbreitete der Regierung einen Vorschlag.
The committee submitted a proposal to the government.
Register: formal
'Unterbreiten' (to submit/present) is a formal word used especially in business, official, and written language. It sounds professional and official.
EXAMPLE
Wir werden Ihnen in Kürze ein detailliertes Angebot unterbreiten.
We will submit a detailed offer to you shortly.
Typical collocations
You typically use 'unterbreiten' (to submit/present) with things that are presented for a decision. Common combinations are: 'ein Angebot unterbreiten' (to submit an offer), 'einen Vorschlag unterbreiten' (to submit a proposal), or 'einen Plan unterbreiten' (to present a plan).
EXAMPLE
Die Architektin hat uns einen ersten Entwurf unterbreitet.
The architect submitted an initial draft to us.
Compare with
near_synonym · confusable
unterbreiten vs anbieten
to offer
'anbieten' and 'unterbreiten' can both have to do with an offer or a suggestion. 'anbieten' is the normal everyday and business word: you offer help, food, goods, or a service. 'unterbreiten' is much more formal. You usually 'unterbreiten' a proposal, plan, or official offer that someone is supposed to decide on. The words can be confused because both involve an offer. In normal conversations, 'anbieten' sounds more natural; in contracts, negotiations, or official discussions, 'unterbreiten' fits better.
unterbreiten
Der Architekt unterbreitet dem Kunden morgen einen neuen Plan.
The architect will present the customer with a new plan tomorrow.
anbieten
Die Bäckerei bietet heute frische Brötchen und Kaffee an.
The bakery is offering fresh rolls and coffee today.