15초 만에
- Highlighting specific details to make them stand out.
- Used in design, fashion, and professional strategy.
- Implies intentionality and a sense of style.
뜻
It means adding a special touch or highlighting a specific detail to make it stand out. It's about being intentional so that one part of a whole gets the attention it deserves.
주요 예문
3 / 6Talking about home decor
Mit diesen gelben Kissen kannst du tolle Akzente setzen.
You can set great accents with these yellow pillows.
During a job interview
Ich möchte in diesem Team neue Akzente setzen.
I want to set new accents within this team.
Texting a friend about an outfit
Die rote Tasche setzt echt einen guten Akzent!
The red bag really sets a good accent!
문화적 배경
The phrase originates from music and linguistics but transitioned into aesthetics and management. In a culture that values 'Ordnung' (order), 'Akzente setzen' represents the creative spark that breaks the monotony without causing chaos.
Don't confuse with pronunciation
If you want to say someone has a French accent, say 'Er hat einen französischen Akzent.' Using 'setzen' implies you are doing it on purpose!
Resume Power Phrase
Use 'Ich habe neue Akzente im Bereich X gesetzt' in your German CV. It sounds much more proactive than just saying you worked there.
15초 만에
- Highlighting specific details to make them stand out.
- Used in design, fashion, and professional strategy.
- Implies intentionality and a sense of style.
What It Means
Imagine you are wearing an all-black outfit. You add a bright red scarf. That scarf is the accent. In German, Akzente setzen is about this exact feeling. It is the art of highlighting something specific. You aren't changing the whole thing. You are just making one part pop. It implies you have a plan. You want people to notice your style or your strategy. It is about focus and precision.
How To Use It
You use it just like a regular verb phrase. The verb setzen changes based on the person. You can use it with physical things like furniture. You can also use it with abstract things like a business strategy. If you want to sound fancy, add an adjective. You could say you are setting "new" accents or "colorful" accents. It makes you sound like someone who pays attention to detail.
When To Use It
This phrase is a superstar in design and fashion. Use it when decorating your apartment with a friend. It is also perfect for a job interview. You can say you want to neue Akzente setzen in the company. This tells the boss you have fresh ideas. Use it when cooking too. Maybe a bit of chili sets a spicy accent in the soup. It works whenever something small makes a big difference.
When NOT To Use It
Do not use this for your literal speaking accent. If you speak German with an English accent, that is einen Akzent haben. Akzente setzen is always about a deliberate choice. Also, avoid it for massive, overwhelming changes. If you paint your whole house neon green, that is not an accent. That is a cry for help. Accents should be subtle and tasteful. Don't use it for things that happen by accident.
Cultural Background
Germans deeply value the concept of "Design" and "Funktionalität." There is a cultural love for the idea that "less is more." This phrase fits perfectly into that mindset. It reflects the German desire for quality over quantity. Instead of doing everything, you do a few things perfectly. It became very popular in the 1980s and 90s. It moved from the art world into everyday office German.
Common Variations
You will often hear farbliche Akzente setzen for interior design. In politics, leaders talk about politische Akzente setzen to show their priorities. Another common one is einen Kontrapunkt setzen. This is similar but focuses more on contrast. Sometimes people just say einen Akzent setzen in the singular. This usually means one specific, very bold move. Use these to sound like a native speaker.
사용 참고사항
The phrase is very versatile and sits comfortably between neutral and formal. The biggest mistake is using it to describe a linguistic accent (pronunciation).
Don't confuse with pronunciation
If you want to say someone has a French accent, say 'Er hat einen französischen Akzent.' Using 'setzen' implies you are doing it on purpose!
Resume Power Phrase
Use 'Ich habe neue Akzente im Bereich X gesetzt' in your German CV. It sounds much more proactive than just saying you worked there.
The 'Tüpfelchen auf dem i'
Germans love the 'finishing touch.' Setting an accent is seen as the difference between a 'worker' and a 'master'.
예시
6Mit diesen gelben Kissen kannst du tolle Akzente setzen.
You can set great accents with these yellow pillows.
Using color to brighten a room.
Ich möchte in diesem Team neue Akzente setzen.
I want to set new accents within this team.
Expressing the desire to bring fresh ideas.
Die rote Tasche setzt echt einen guten Akzent!
The red bag really sets a good accent!
Complimenting a specific fashion choice.
Der Koriander setzt hier einen frischen Akzent.
The coriander sets a fresh accent here.
Describing a specific flavor profile.
Der Kaffeefleck auf deinem Hemd setzt interessante Akzente.
The coffee stain on your shirt sets interesting accents.
Using the phrase ironically for something unintentional.
Du hast in meinem grauen Alltag bunte Akzente gesetzt.
You have set colorful accents in my gray everyday life.
Metaphorical use for bringing joy.
셀프 테스트
Choose the correct form of the verb to complete the professional goal.
In meiner neuen Rolle will ich vor allem im Marketing neue Akzente ___.
The fixed collocation is always 'Akzente setzen'.
Complete the sentence about interior design.
Wir haben im Wohnzimmer mit blauen Lampen ___ gesetzt.
'Akzente' is the plural accusative object here.
🎉 점수: /2
시각 학습 자료
Formality of 'Akzente setzen'
Used with friends about clothes or food.
Die Socken setzen Akzente!
Standard use for design and hobbies.
Wir setzen Akzente im Garten.
Common in business meetings and resumes.
Wir müssen strategische Akzente setzen.
Where to set accents
Fashion
A bright belt on a dark dress.
Business
Introducing a unique new service.
Interior
One wall painted a different color.
Cooking
Adding a garnish to a plate.
연습 문제 은행
2 연습 문제In meiner neuen Rolle will ich vor allem im Marketing neue Akzente ___.
The fixed collocation is always 'Akzente setzen'.
Wir haben im Wohnzimmer mit blauen Lampen ___ gesetzt.
'Akzente' is the plural accusative object here.
🎉 점수: /2
자주 묻는 질문
10 질문No, it specifically means you are adding small details. If you change everything, you would use alles umkrempeln.
Yes! If you get highlights, you can say you are farbliche Akzente setzen in your hair.
Not at all. It sounds a bit sophisticated, but it's very common when talking about shopping or decorating.
The singular is einen Akzent setzen. You use it when there is only one specific highlight.
Usually, it's positive. However, you can use it sarcastically, like Dein Benehmen hat heute echt Akzente gesetzt (Your behavior really stood out today).
Yes, a player who enters the game and changes the dynamic is said to Akzente setzen.
Betonen means to emphasize. Akzente setzen is more about the creative act of adding something to create that emphasis.
You use the Perfekt tense: Ich habe Akzente gesetzt. For example: Sie hat mit ihrer Rede Akzente gesetzt.
Absolutely. It means the company is leading the way or introducing something unique to the market.
Yes, it's a classic B2/C1 level collocation that examiners love to hear in speaking modules.
관련 표현
Hervorheben (To highlight)
Das gewisse Etwas (The certain something/je ne sais quoi)
Ein Zeichen setzen (To make a statement/set a sign)
Ins Auge fallen (To catch the eye)
