unterstützen
to support
To help someone, often through financial, material, or practical assistance.
EXAMPLE
Meine Eltern unterstützen mich während des Studiums finanziell.
My parents support me financially during my studies.
unterstützen
to support
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Meanings
unterstützen
to support
To approve of and advocate for an idea, a plan, an opinion, or a person.
EXAMPLE
Ich unterstütze den Vorschlag, die Öffnungszeiten zu verlängern.
I support the proposal to extend the opening hours.
unterstützen
to support
For a technical system or software to be compatible with a certain function, format, or other system and enable its use.
EXAMPLE
Diese App wird leider nicht mehr von älteren Betriebssystemen unterstützt.
Unfortunately, this app is no longer supported by older operating systems.
unterstützen
to support
To physically support or brace something in order to keep it from falling over, collapsing, or sinking.
EXAMPLE
Die einsturzgefährdete Wand musste mit Holzbalken unterstützt werden.
The wall at risk of collapse had to be supported with wooden beams.
Usage tips
Inseparable verb
'Unterstützen' (to support) is an inseparable verb. The prefix 'unter-' remains firmly attached to the verb 'stützen' (to support/brace) in all sentence forms and tenses.
EXAMPLE
Sie unterstützt ihn bei seiner Arbeit.
She supports him in his work.
Use with accusative
The verb 'unterstützen' (to support) always needs an accusative object. You ask 'Wen oder was unterstützt du?' (Whom or what do you support?). The person or thing receiving help is in the accusative.
EXAMPLE
Die Organisation unterstützt arme Familien mit Lebensmitteln.
The organization supports poor families with food.
Typical adverbs
To describe the type of help more precisely, 'unterstützen' (to support) is often combined with adverbs. Common examples are 'finanziell unterstützen' (to support financially), 'moralisch unterstützen' (to support morally), or 'tatkräftig unterstützen' (to give active support).
EXAMPLE
Seine Freunde haben ihn nach dem Unfall vor allem moralisch unterstützt.
After the accident, his friends supported him mainly morally.
Typical objects
When it is about backing an idea, the objects are often abstract. Typical combinations are 'einen Plan unterstützen' (to support a plan), 'eine Initiative unterstützen' (to support an initiative), or 'einen Vorschlag unterstützen' (to support a proposal).
EXAMPLE
Alle Mitglieder des Teams unterstützten den neuen Vorschlag.
All members of the team supported the new proposal.
Context: technology
This meaning is typical in technical contexts. It is often used in the passive to describe the compatibility of software or devices.
EXAMPLE
Das neue Update wird von meinem alten Handy nicht mehr unterstützt.
The new update is no longer supported by my old phone.
Compare with
helfenermöglichenfördernstützenbegünstigenbefürwortenmitgehensponsernpromovierenmithelfenmittragenbeistehengutheißen
unterstützen vs helfen
to help
Helfen and unterstützen both refer to providing assistance with a task or problem. Helfen is more general and can refer to a single act of assistance, while unterstützen often expresses targeted or longer-lasting support. Use helfen for a specific act of assistance and unterstützen when the support is planned or long-term.
unterstützen
Ich unterstütze meine Schwester während ihres ganzen Umzugsprojekts.
I’m supporting my sister throughout her entire moving project.
helfen
Ich helfe meiner Schwester heute beim Umzug.
I’m helping my sister move today.
In real life
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