untergeordnet
subordinate
Occupying a lower, less important position in a hierarchy or ranking; secondary.
EXAMPLE
In diesem Projekt spielt die Ästhetik nur eine untergeordnete Rolle.
In this project, aesthetics play only a subordinate role.
untergeordnet
subordinate
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Meanings
untergeordnet
subordinate
In grammar: dependent on another part of a sentence or clause, usually the main clause.
EXAMPLE
Ein Nebensatz ist dem Hauptsatz grammatikalisch untergeordnet.
A subordinate clause is grammatically subordinate to the main clause.
Usage tips
Word structure
'Untergeordnet' is the past participle of the separable verb 'unterordnen' (to subordinate). It is made up of 'unter' (under) and 'ordnen' (to order/arrange) and literally means to position something lower down in an order.
EXAMPLE
Als Praktikant hatte er eine untergeordnete Position in der Firma.
As an intern, he had a subordinate position in the company.
Dative construction
To express to whom or to what something is subordinate, the dative is used. The structure is: 'Etwas ist einer Sache (Dativ) untergeordnet' (Something is subordinate to something, dative).
EXAMPLE
Die persönlichen Interessen sind dem Ziel des Teams untergeordnet.
Personal interests are subordinate to the team's goal.
Typical collocations
In the context of hierarchies, there are fixed expressions. Especially common are 'eine untergeordnete Rolle spielen' (to play a subordinate role) and 'von untergeordneter Bedeutung sein' (to be of secondary importance).
EXAMPLE
Das Geld spielte bei seiner Entscheidung nur eine untergeordnete Rolle.
Money played only a subordinate role in his decision.
Grammar context clue
This meaning is almost exclusively limited to the field of linguistics and grammar. You can recognize it by words such as 'Satz' (sentence/clause), 'Nebensatz' (subordinate clause), 'Hauptsatz' (main clause), or 'grammatikalisch' (grammatical).
EXAMPLE
Ein Relativsatz ist dem Hauptsatz untergeordnet und beschreibt ein Nomen näher.
A relative clause is subordinate to the main clause and describes a noun in more detail.
Compare with
untergeordnet vs abhängig
dependent / addicted
A subordinate clause can generally be described as abhängig (dependent) on the main clause. Untergeordnet is the grammatical technical term and describes the relationship to the main clause more precisely. In a grammatical explanation, untergeordnet is therefore more appropriate, while abhängig expresses the relationship in general terms.
untergeordnet
Der Nebensatz ist dem Hauptsatz untergeordnet.
The subordinate clause is subordinate to the main clause.
abhängig
Der Nebensatz ist vom Hauptsatz abhängig.
The subordinate clause is dependent on the main clause.
In real life
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