Ways to say it
| German | IPA |
|---|---|
| unterschreiben | /ˌʊntəʁˈʃʁaɪ̯bən/ /ˈʊntəʁˌʃʁaɪ̯bən/ |
| unterschriften | |
| unterzeichnen | [ˌʔʊntɐˈtsaɪ̯çnən] (narrow) |
When you mean the action of writing one's signature on a document, use the verb unterschreiben or unterzeichnen. For other meanings of 'sign', such as an astrological sign, use Sternzeichen. For traffic signs, use Verkehrsschilder. For an exit sign, use Ausgang. And for an entrance sign, use Eingang. Related nouns include Zeichen or Anzeichen for a fact that shows something exists or may happen, and Zeichen or Sonderzeichen for a mark or symbol used to represent something.
What does it mean word for word?
The verb unterschreiben literally means 'to write under', as it is composed of the prefix unter- (under) and schreiben (to write).
Which one should you use?
unterschreiben is the standard, everyday verb used for signing documents. In contrast, unterzeichnen is a more formal version often used in legal or official contexts, such as signing a treaty or a formal contract.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The simple past tense of unterschreiben is unterschrieb, and the past participle is unterschrieben. The form unterschriften is also listed.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˌʊntəʁˈʃʁaɪ̯bən/
What mistakes should you avoid?
English speakers sometimes mistakenly use Zeichen (which means a mark or symbol) when they actually mean the verb 'to sign' (unterschreiben).
Did you know?
- In official German bureaucracy, the act of signing is often paired with stempeln, meaning 'to stamp' with an official seal.
- The verb schreiben is the root of unterschreiben, but it also forms the word vorschreiben, meaning 'to prescribe' or 'to dictate'.
- The German verb unterschreiben is a calque of the Latin word subscrībere, which also means 'to write under'.
Examples in context
- Bitte unterschreiben Sie hier.Sign here, please.This sentence is useful for asking someone to sign at a specific location using unterschreiben.Tatoeba #747464 by samueldora, translation #462434 by lukaszpp
- Unterschreiben Sie bitte hier.Please sign here.Tatoeba #865769 by Espi, translation #476416 by minshirui
- Muss ich etwas unterschreiben?Do I have to sign something?This sentence is useful for asking if it is necessary to sign something using unterschreiben.Tatoeba #8804798 by Melang, translation #2064729 by CK
- Das Schild informiert uns über die Hausordnung.The sign informs us about the house rules.
- Er hat alle Anzeichen einer Erkältung.He shows all the signs of a cold.
- Das war ein Signal, dass ich gehen sollte.That was a sign that I should leave.
- Mein Sternzeichen ist WassermannMy zodiac sign is Aquarius
- Die Verkehrsschilder zeigen an, dass die Straße gesperrt istThe traffic signs indicate that the road is closed.
- 110 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
In a bright office, a clerk gives a man a contract to sign.
- HannahKönnen Sie bitte diesen Vertrag unterschreiben?Could you please sign this contract?
- MaximilianJa, ich werde ihn sofort unterschreiben.Yes, I will sign it immediately.
- HannahVergessen Sie nicht, am Ende zu unterschreiben.Don't forget to sign at the end.
- MaximilianAlles klar, ich habe unterschrieben.All right, I have signed.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “sign” translations and entries unterschreiben, unterzeichnen, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries unterschreiben, unterzeichnen, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
