unterwerfen
to subjugate
To bring someone or a people under one's rule by force and compel them to submit.
EXAMPLE
Das Imperium versuchte, alle umliegenden Königreiche zu unterwerfen.
The empire tried to subjugate all the surrounding kingdoms.
unterwerfen
to subjugate / submit
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Meanings
sich unterwerfen
to submit
To submit to an authority, a rule, an examination, or a procedure, or to undergo it.
EXAMPLE
Alle Kandidaten müssen sich einem strengen Auswahlverfahren unterwerfen.
All candidates must submit to a strict selection process.
Usage tips
Inseparable verb
'Unterwerfen' (to subjugate / submit) is an inseparable verb. The prefix 'unter-' remains firmly attached to the verb in all tenses and sentence types. The past participle is 'unterworfen' (subjugated / submitted).
EXAMPLE
Er hat sich den Regeln widerspruchslos unterworfen.
He submitted to the rules without objection.
Reflexive with dative
The reflexive form 'sich unterwerfen' (to submit) is used with a dative object. One submits oneself (accusative) to something (dative).
EXAMPLE
Der Patient musste sich einer komplizierten Operation unterwerfen.
The patient had to undergo a complicated operation.
Context clues
When the verb is not reflexive, it is usually about power and violence, as in history. The reflexive form 'sich unterwerfen' (to submit) is often used in formal or bureaucratic contexts for rules and procedures.
EXAMPLE
Die Armee unterwarf die aufständische Stadt.
The army subjugated the rebellious city.
Typical collocations
In the reflexive meaning, the verb is often combined with formal processes. Typical phrases are: 'sich einer Prüfung unterwerfen' (to submit to an examination), 'sich einer Kontrolle unterwerfen' (to submit to an inspection), 'sich einer Behandlung unterwerfen' (to undergo treatment), or 'sich einem Verfahren unterwerfen' (to submit to a procedure).
EXAMPLE
Alle neuen Mitarbeiter werden einem Sicherheitstraining unterworfen.
All new employees are subjected to safety training.
Compare with
unterwerfen vs erobern
to conquer
Erobern and unterwerfen both describe gaining power through force. Erobern focuses on the territory that has been won and the control over it. Unterwerfen, by contrast, emphasizes that people or a people are forced to submit to the new rule.
unterwerfen
Die Armee unterwarf die Bevölkerung des Landes und zwang sie unter ihre Herrschaft.
The army subjugated the country's population and forced them to submit to its rule.
erobern
Die Armee eroberte das Land und kontrollierte danach sein gesamtes Gebiet.
The army conquered the country and then controlled its entire territory.
In real life
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