Betont

Betont is a German adjective and the past participle of the verb betonen. It means "emphasized" or "stressed" and is used to describe something that has been given emphasis or highlighted in speaking, writing, or analysis. The term can modify nouns or describe phrases, objects, or tones that carry emphasis.

In linguistics and phonology, betont describes the syllable carrying the primary stress in a word; the counterpart is unbetont, describing unstressed syllables. Stress patterns differ by language, word, dialect, and context, and they can influence pronunciation, rhythm, and meaning in some cases. German typically places stress on a single syllable, though the location varies.

In rhetoric and style, betont can describe language delivered with clear emphasis, or statements framed to stand out. Examples include "eine betonte Aussage" or "mit betonter Stimme." The term is used in grammars, dictionaries, and discourse analyses to distinguish emphasized elements from unmarked text.

In everyday use, betont also appears as the attributive form in phrases such as "betonte Merkmale" or "betonte Akzente," though natural usage often relies on context rather than a fixed collocation. The antonym is unbetont, meaning unstressed.

See also Betonen, Betonung.