subservient
unterwürfig – unterwürfiger – am unterwürfigsten
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subservient
Excessively obedient toward others and willing to submit to their wishes. The word usually expresses a negative judgment.
Er wagte keinen Widerspruch und stimmte seinem Chef in unterwürfigem Ton bei jeder Behauptung zu.
He did not dare to contradict his boss and agreed with every claim in a subservient tone.
| basic form | unterwürfig |
|---|---|
| comparative | unterwürfiger |
| superlative | am unterwürfigsten |
| masc. | fem. | neut. | plural | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| nom. | -e | -e | -e | -en |
| acc. | -en | -e | -e | -en |
| dat. | -en | -en | -en | -en |
| gen. | -en | -en | -en | -en |
Add the ending to unterwürfig.
| masc. | fem. | neut. | plural | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| nom. | -er | -e | -es | -en |
| acc. | -en | -e | -es | -en |
| dat. | -en | -en | -en | -en |
| gen. | -en | -en | -en | -en |
Add the ending to unterwürfig.
| 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 unterwürfig.
'Unterwürfig' (subservient) is often used with words such as 'Haltung' (attitude), 'Verhalten' (behavior), 'Auftreten' (demeanor), 'Ton' (tone), or 'Blick' (look). It can describe a person as well as their behavior or manner of expression.
Sein unterwürfiges Auftreten irritierte die neuen Kollegen.
His subservient demeanor irritated the new colleagues.
Sie antwortete in unterwürfigem Ton.
She replied in a subservient tone.
When it is stated toward whom a person is subservient, 'gegenüber' (toward) is usually used with the dative. The preposition can come before or after the person in question.
Er verhielt sich seinem Vorgesetzten gegenüber auffallend unterwürfig.
He behaved remarkably subserviently toward his supervisor.
Unterwürfig gegenüber der mächtigen Familie erfüllte er jeden Wunsch.
Subservient toward the powerful family, he fulfilled their every wish.
'Unterwürfig' (subservient) almost always describes behavior critically and therefore does not sound neutral. The word is particularly suitable when someone is judging excessive conformity or a lack of willingness to express their own disagreement.
Die unterwürfige Reaktion auf jede Kritik machte keinen guten Eindruck.
The subservient reaction to every criticism did not make a good impression.
Niemand erwartete von ihr eine so unterwürfige Haltung.
No one expected her to adopt such a subservient attitude.
