to emphasize / underline
Loading your saved state.
to emphasize
To particularly stress or highlight something (a statement, a demand, an opinion) through words or actions in order to give it more weight.
Der Redner wollte mit seiner emotionalen Wortwahl die Dringlichkeit des Themas unterstreichen.
With his emotional choice of words, the speaker wanted to emphasize the urgency of the topic.
to underline
To put a line under a word or section of text in order to mark or highlight it.
Bitte unterstreichen Sie alle unbekannten Vokabeln im Text.
Please underline all unknown vocabulary words in the text.
'Unterstreichen' (to emphasize/underline) is an inseparable verb. The prefix 'unter-' remains firmly attached to the verb in all sentence forms and tenses. The past participle is 'unterstrichen' (emphasized/underlined).
Er unterstrich die Wichtigkeit von Teamarbeit.
He emphasized the importance of teamwork.
The word is made up of 'unter' (under) and 'streichen' (to draw a line). The figurative meaning 'betonen' (to emphasize) derives directly from the literal action of highlighting something important with a line.
Seine Taten unterstreichen seine Worte.
His actions emphasize his words.
The context makes clear which meaning is intended. If the object is something abstract, e.g. 'Bedeutung' (meaning/significance) or 'Wichtigkeit' (importance), the figurative meaning is meant. If the object is a text or word, the literal meaning is meant.
Der Politiker unterstrich seine Forderung nach mehr Klimaschutz.
The politician emphasized his demand for more climate protection.
In the figurative meaning, 'unterstreichen' (to emphasize) is often used with abstract nouns to stress their relevance. Typical phrases are: die Bedeutung unterstreichen (to emphasize the significance), die Wichtigkeit unterstreichen (to emphasize the importance), eine Aussage unterstreichen (to emphasize a statement), or eine Forderung unterstreichen (to emphasize a demand).
Ich möchte die Wichtigkeit dieser Regel noch einmal unterstreichen.
I would like to emphasize the importance of this rule once again.
to emphasize / stress
Betonen and unterstreichen give a statement special weight. Betonen can be done simply by saying something explicitly. Unterstreichen often refers to additional reinforcement through relevant evidence, actions, or further words; however, this accompanying element is not an absolute requirement.
Mit aktuellen Zahlen unterstreicht die Chefin, dass eine schnelle Lösung wichtig ist.
Using up-to-date figures, the manager underlines that a quick solution is important.
Die Chefin betont, dass eine schnelle Lösung wichtig ist.
The manager emphasizes that a quick solution is important.
