to underestimate
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to underestimate
To consider someone or something less capable, important, difficult, or dangerous than he, she, or it really is.
Wir haben den Zeitaufwand für das Projekt völlig unterschätzt.
We completely underestimated the amount of time needed for the project.
to underestimate oneself
To have too low an opinion of one's own abilities or one's own worth.
Du solltest dich nicht so unterschätzen, deine Präsentation war hervorragend!
You shouldn't underestimate yourself like that; your presentation was excellent!
The verb 'unterschätzen' (to underestimate) is inseparable. The prefix 'unter-' remains firmly attached to the verb 'schätzen' in all sentence forms and tenses and is not placed at the end of the sentence.
Ich glaube, du unterschätzt die Schwierigkeit der Prüfung.
I think you are underestimating the difficulty of the exam.
The word is made up of the prefix 'unter-' and the verb 'schätzen'. Here, 'schätzen' means 'einschätzen' (to assess) or 'bewerten' (to evaluate). The prefix 'unter-' expresses that this assessment is too low.
Man sollte die Stärke eines Gegners niemals unterschätzen.
You should never underestimate the strength of an opponent.
'Unterschätzen' (to underestimate) is often used with abstract nouns that describe a challenge or a risk. Typical combinations are: 'die Gefahr unterschätzen' (to underestimate the danger), 'den Aufwand unterschätzen' (to underestimate the effort), 'die Kosten unterschätzen' (to underestimate the costs), or 'den Gegner unterschätzen' (to underestimate the opponent).
Viele Leute unterschätzen die Gefahr von zu viel Sonne.
Many people underestimate the danger of too much sun.
The reflexive form 'sich unterschätzen' means that you have too low an opinion of yourself. The reflexive pronoun (mich, dich, sich, etc.) is in the accusative.
Du bist viel klüger, als du denkst. Du unterschätzt dich ständig!
You are much smarter than you think. You constantly underestimate yourself!
to downplay
Both words fit when a real danger is taken less seriously. Someone who unterschätzt a danger internally judges it to be less dangerous, whereas with verharmlosen, someone often deliberately presents it to others as less serious. Use „unterschätzen“ for an incorrect assessment and „verharmlosen“ for a sugar-coated presentation.
Der unerfahrene Fahrer unterschätzte die Gefahr auf der glatten Straße.
The inexperienced driver underestimated the danger of the slippery road.
Die Werbung verharmloste die Gefahr des starken Reinigungsmittels.
The advertisement downplayed the danger of the powerful cleaning agent.
