verb

unterliegen

be subject to · subject to · succumb

Es bedeutet, in einem Wettkampf, Streit oder Vergleich zu verlieren oder von einer Regel, Ordnung oder Macht abhängig zu sein.

Definition & meaning

The verb unterliegen has two primary meanings in German, both of which require the dative case.

To be defeated / To lose: In a competitive context, such as sports, politics, or legal battles, it means to lose against an opponent or to be overcome by a stronger force. For example, a team can "unterliegen" to its rival.
To be subject to: In a formal or legal context, it means to be governed by, affected by, or prone to certain conditions, rules, laws, or fluctuations. For example, a product might be subject to strict quality controls, or a price might be subject to market fluctuations.

Grammar & Word origin

Grammar:

Verb type: It is an inseparable prefix verb. Despite starting with "unter-", the prefix does not move to the end of the sentence.
Conjugation: It is a strong (irregular) verb.
- Present: er/sie/es unterliegt
- Primal (Preterite): er/sie/es unterlag
- Perfect: ist unterlegen
Auxiliary verb: It uses sein to form the perfect tense.
Case: It always takes the dative case (e.g., einer Regel unterliegen).

Word origin: The word is composed of the prefix unter- (under) and the verb liegen (to lie). Conceptually, it describes the state of "lying under" something, whether that is the weight of an opponent or the jurisdiction of a law.

Synonyms & antonyms

Synonyms:

(Meaning 1 - to lose): verlieren , scheitern , bezwungen werden .
(Meaning 2 - to be subject to): betreffen , bestimmt werden von , abhängen von .