to undergo
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to undergo
To subject oneself to a usually unpleasant, difficult, or necessary procedure, examination, or treatment. It expresses that one goes through something.
Der Patient musste sich einer komplizierten Operation unterziehen.
The patient had to undergo a complicated operation.
The verb 'unterziehen' (to undergo) is inseparable. The prefix 'unter-' remains firmly attached to the verb 'ziehen' in all sentence forms and tenses and is not placed at the end of the sentence.
Er unterzieht sich morgen der Prüfung.
He is undergoing the exam tomorrow.
This verb requires a fixed grammatical structure: It is always reflexive ('sich unterziehen'), and the thing one goes through is always in the dative. The person appears as the subject at the beginning.
Die Sportler müssen sich einer strengen Dopingkontrolle unterziehen.
The athletes have to undergo a strict doping test.
The verb is typically used with medical or formal procedures. Common combinations are: 'sich einer Operation unterziehen' (to undergo an operation), 'sich einer Behandlung unterziehen' (to undergo treatment), 'sich einer Prüfung unterziehen' (to undergo an examination), or 'sich einer Kontrolle unterziehen' (to undergo an inspection/check).
Alle neuen Mitarbeiter müssen sich einer Sicherheitsüberprüfung unterziehen.
All new employees have to undergo a security check.
'Sich etwas unterziehen' (to undergo something) belongs to formal language and is often used in medical, legal, or administrative contexts. It sounds more elevated and official.
Der Zeuge musste sich einer langen Befragung unterziehen.
The witness had to undergo a long questioning.
to endure / bear
'ertragen' and 'sich unterziehen' both have to do with something unpleasant or difficult. 'ertragen' means that you endure a burden, for example pain, noise, or a difficult time. 'sich einer Sache unterziehen' is used when someone undergoes a necessary procedure, examination, or treatment. So it is not just about enduring something, but about consciously entering into this situation. Typical expressions are 'sich einer Untersuchung unterziehen' (to undergo an examination) or 'sich einer Prüfung unterziehen' (to undergo / take an exam). 'ertragen' is more general, while 'sich unterziehen' fits more formal or planned situations.
Nächste Woche unterzieht sich Maria einer wichtigen Untersuchung.
Next week, Maria is undergoing an important examination.
Am Abend hat Tom den Lärm der Baustelle nicht mehr ertragen.
In the evening, Tom could no longer endure the noise from the construction site.