underlying / subliminal
unterschwellig – unterschwelliger – am unterschwelligsten
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underlying
Not openly shown or expressed, but present and having an effect in the background.
Zwischen den beiden herrschte eine unterschwellige Feindseligkeit, obwohl sie höflich miteinander sprachen.
There was an underlying hostility between the two, even though they spoke politely to each other.
subliminal
Below the threshold of conscious perception. In psychology, this describes stimuli that are too weak or too brief to be perceived consciously.
Im Experiment wurden unterschwellige Bilder so kurz eingeblendet, dass die Versuchspersonen sie nicht bewusst wahrnahmen.
In the experiment, subliminal images were flashed so briefly that the subjects did not consciously perceive them.
| basic form | unterschwellig |
|---|---|
| comparative | unterschwelliger |
| superlative | am unterschwelligsten |
| masc. | fem. | neut. | plural | |
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| nom. | -e | -e | -e | -en |
| acc. | -en | -e | -e | -en |
| dat. | -en | -en | -en | -en |
| gen. | -en | -en | -en | -en |
Add the ending to unterschwellig.
| masc. | fem. | neut. | plural | |
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| nom. | -er | -e | -es | -en |
| acc. | -en | -e | -es | -en |
| dat. | -en | -en | -en | -en |
| gen. | -en | -en | -en | -en |
Add the ending to unterschwellig.
| masc. | fem. | neut. | plural | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| nom. | -er | -e | -es | -e |
| acc. | -en | -e | -es | -e |
| dat. | -em | -er | -em | -en |
| gen. | -en | -er | -en | -er |
Add the ending to unterschwellig.
'Unterschwellig' (underlying / subliminal) consists of 'unter-' (under) and 'schwellig', which refers to a 'Schwelle' (threshold). The image is of something remaining below a visible or consciously perceived threshold.
Seine unterschwellige Kritik war trotz seiner freundlichen Worte deutlich zu spüren.
His underlying criticism was clearly noticeable despite his friendly words.
In its figurative sense, 'unterschwellig' (underlying) is often used with abstract feelings or tensions. Typical combinations include 'unterschwellige Spannung' (underlying tension), 'unterschwellige Aggression' (underlying aggression), and 'unterschwelliger Druck' (underlying pressure).
Während des Gesprächs war eine unterschwellige Spannung im Raum zu spüren.
There was an underlying tension in the room during the conversation.
In psychological and scientific texts, 'unterschwellig' (subliminal) often describes stimuli or information that remain below the threshold of conscious perception. Nouns such as 'Reiz' (stimulus), 'Wahrnehmung' (perception), or 'Einblendung' (a briefly displayed image or message) often indicate this meaning.
Die Studie untersuchte, ob unterschwellige Reize das Verhalten der Teilnehmer beeinflussen können.
The study examined whether subliminal stimuli could influence the participants' behavior.
