In 15 Seconds
- A formal way to say 'to demonstrate' or 'to prove'.
- Used for skills, qualities, and talents in professional contexts.
- Combines a noun like 'skill' with the verb 'stellen'.
Meaning
Think of this as 'showing what you're made of' rather than just saying it. It is about demonstrating a skill, quality, or talent through actual action or evidence.
Key Examples
3 of 6In a job interview
Ich möchte mein Können in diesem Team unter Beweis stellen.
I want to prove my skills within this team.
Texting a friend about a marathon
Morgen werde ich endlich meine Ausdauer unter Beweis stellen!
Tomorrow I will finally put my endurance to the test!
A sports commentator talking about a player
Der Stürmer stellte heute erneut seine Schnelligkeit unter Beweis.
The striker once again demonstrated his speed today.
Cultural Background
In German 'Arbeitszeugnisse' (work references), this phrase is a coded way to say an employee was effective. If it's missing, it might imply the person didn't actually achieve much. Similar to Germany, but often used in the context of 'Matura' (high school graduation exams) to describe students proving their readiness for university. Often used in the context of direct democracy, where politicians must prove the feasibility of their proposals to the public. Used in the financial sector to emphasize the reliability and discretion of banking services.
Job Application Hack
Use this phrase in your cover letter to sound more professional than just using 'zeigen'.
No Article
Usually, we say 'unter Beweis stellen' without 'den'. Adding 'den' is grammatically okay but sounds less idiomatic.
In 15 Seconds
- A formal way to say 'to demonstrate' or 'to prove'.
- Used for skills, qualities, and talents in professional contexts.
- Combines a noun like 'skill' with the verb 'stellen'.
What It Means
This phrase is a sophisticated way to say beweisen (to prove). It is what linguists call a 'Funktionsverbgefüge.' That is just a fancy term for a verb-noun combo. When you use it, you are not just stating a fact. You are describing the act of demonstrating a quality. It is like moving from 'I am brave' to 'I am putting my bravery to the test.' It feels active and deliberate. You are stepping onto the stage to show the world your skills.
How To Use It
You will usually see this with abstract nouns. Common partners include Können (skill), Mut (courage), or Geduld (patience). The structure is simple: [Subject] stellt [Noun] unter Beweis. If you are talking about the past, use hat ... unter Beweis gestellt. It functions like a single verb. Just remember that the noun usually doesn't need an article. You don't say 'the' courage, just 'courage.' It makes you sound very polished and articulate.
When To Use It
This is your go-to phrase for professional settings. Use it in a job interview to discuss your experience. It works great when describing athletes during a big game. You can use it when someone doubts your abilities. It is perfect for performance reviews or cover letters. Even in serious personal conversations, it adds weight to your words. It says, 'I am not just talking; I am delivering results.'
When NOT To Use It
Avoid this for simple, everyday facts. You wouldn't 'put under proof' that you bought milk. Do not use it for scientific proofs in a casual way. If you are just proving a math equation, stick to beweisen. It is too heavy for trivial matters. Using it while playing a casual game of Rock-Paper-Scissors might sound sarcastic. Unless, of course, you want to be funny. Then, by all means, go for it!
Cultural Background
German culture places a high value on 'Kompetenz' (competence) and 'Leistung' (achievement). This phrase reflects that focus on tangible results. It is not enough to have a degree; you must show you can apply it. Historically, German work culture is quite formal. This expression bridges the gap between being humble and being confident. It allows you to highlight your strengths without sounding like a braggart. It is about the evidence, not the ego.
Common Variations
You might hear sich bewähren, which means to prove oneself worthy. Another close relative is einen Beweis erbringen. That one is even more formal, often used in legal contexts. If you want to keep it simple, just use zeigen (to show). But unter Beweis stellen is the 'suit and tie' version. It turns a simple action into a professional statement. It is the difference between 'doing' and 'demonstrating excellence.'
Usage Notes
This is a high-level B2/C1 phrase. It is perfectly suited for formal writing and professional speaking, but use it sparingly in very casual settings to avoid sounding stiff.
Job Application Hack
Use this phrase in your cover letter to sound more professional than just using 'zeigen'.
No Article
Usually, we say 'unter Beweis stellen' without 'den'. Adding 'den' is grammatically okay but sounds less idiomatic.
Examples
6Ich möchte mein Können in diesem Team unter Beweis stellen.
I want to prove my skills within this team.
A classic, high-impact sentence for career starters.
Morgen werde ich endlich meine Ausdauer unter Beweis stellen!
Tomorrow I will finally put my endurance to the test!
Uses the phrase to show excitement for a challenge.
Der Stürmer stellte heute erneut seine Schnelligkeit unter Beweis.
The striker once again demonstrated his speed today.
Commonly used in journalism to describe athletic performance.
Ich habe heute meine Faulheit erfolgreich unter Beweis gestellt.
I successfully demonstrated my laziness today.
Using a formal phrase for a silly trait creates humor.
Du hast in dieser schweren Zeit deine Treue unter Beweis gestellt.
You have proven your loyalty during this difficult time.
Adds a layer of serious appreciation to the sentiment.
Du hast deine Fortschritte in der Prüfung unter Beweis gestellt.
You demonstrated your progress during the exam.
Focuses on the tangible result of the student's hard work.
Test Yourself
Füllen Sie die Lücke mit dem richtigen Nomen und Artikel-Syntax.
Der neue Koch muss sein Können heute Abend unter ________ stellen.
Das Nomen ist maskulin: {der|m} Beweis.
Welcher Satz ist korrekt?
Wählen Sie die richtige Verwendung.
Man stellt Fähigkeiten (Abstrakta) unter Beweis, nicht physische Objekte wie Autos.
Vervollständigen Sie den Dialog.
A: Glaubst du, sie schafft die Prüfung? B: Ja, sie wird ihren Fleiß sicher ________.
In diesem Kontext sind alle Optionen möglich, aber 'unter Beweis stellen' ist die formellste.
🎉 Score: /3
Visual Learning Aids
Practice Bank
3 exercisesDer neue Koch muss sein Können heute Abend unter ________ stellen.
Das Nomen ist maskulin: {der|m} Beweis.
Wählen Sie die richtige Verwendung.
Man stellt Fähigkeiten (Abstrakta) unter Beweis, nicht physische Objekte wie Autos.
A: Glaubst du, sie schafft die Prüfung? B: Ja, sie wird ihren Fleiß sicher ________.
In diesem Kontext sind alle Optionen möglich, aber 'unter Beweis stellen' ist die formellste.
🎉 Score: /3
Frequently Asked Questions
2 questionsBoth are possible, but 'unter Beweis' (without the article) is the standard idiom.
Usually no. It's almost always used for positive qualities like skills, courage, or talent.
Related Phrases
beweisen
synonymTo prove
sich bewähren
similarTo prove oneself
belegen
specialized formTo document
demonstrieren
synonymTo demonstrate
