to sign
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to sign
To put one's name by hand at the bottom of a document in order to make it legally valid, give one's consent, or confirm authorship.
Bevor der Vertrag gültig ist, müssen ihn beide Parteien unterschreiben.
Before the contract is valid, both parties must sign it.
to agree with
In a figurative sense, to fully agree with a statement or opinion.
Alles, was du über die aktuelle Lage gesagt hast, kann ich so unterschreiben.
Everything you said about the current situation, I can agree with completely.
The verb is made up of 'unter' (under) and 'schreiben' (to write). The literal meaning is 'to write under something', which describes exactly the action of placing one's name at the end of a document.
Bitte lesen Sie das Dokument sorgfältig, bevor Sie unten unterschreiben.
Please read the document carefully before you sign at the bottom.
'Unterschreiben' is an inseparable verb. The prefix 'unter-' stays attached to the verb in all tenses and sentence positions. The stress is on the stem: unterSCHREIBEN.
Er hat den Mietvertrag gestern unterschrieben.
He signed the rental contract yesterday.
In the literal meaning, 'unterschreiben' is typically used with official documents. Common objects are 'einen Vertrag' (a contract), 'ein Formular' (a form), 'eine Petition' (a petition), or 'einen Antrag' (an application).
Die Bürgerinitiative sammelt Leute, die die Petition unterschreiben.
The citizens' initiative is gathering people who will sign the petition.
The figurative meaning 'zustimmen' (to agree) is often used in the fixed expression 'Das kann ich (so) unterschreiben' (I can fully agree with that). 'Das' refers to a previous statement or opinion.
Deine Analyse der Situation ist perfekt. Das kann ich so unterschreiben.
Your analysis of the situation is perfect. I can fully agree with that.
to draw / sign
Zeichnen and unterschreiben can both refer to officially signing a document. In this use, Zeichnen sounds more formal and emphasizes the official procedure. Unterschreiben directly describes someone putting their name on the document and is more natural in ordinary situations.
Anna unterschrieb den Vertrag mit ihrem vollständigen Namen.
Anna signed the contract with her full name.
Der Minister zeichnete den Vertrag im Rahmen des offiziellen Verfahrens.
The minister signed the contract as part of the official procedure.
