Markieren

Markieren is a German verb with several related meanings centered on identifying, highlighting, or designating something. In everyday language it can refer to placing a physical mark on an object to indicate meaning or handling, or to making a selection or emphasis in a list or document. In digital contexts markieren commonly means selecting items, tagging people or resources, or highlighting text in software.

Etymology: The verb is built from the noun Mark (sign, signifier, feature) with the productive suffix -ieren, forming a verb that denotes the action of applying or creating a mark. The term is attested in German from the 19th century and has become widespread in both everyday language and technical jargon.

Usage domains: In writing and editing, markieren is used for selecting or emphasizing a passage, often with the intent to edit or review. In education, teachers or students markieren passages or corrections. In computing and digital media, users markieren Dateien, E-Mails, or text, and may auch als Favorit markieren or jemanden in Beiträgen oder Fotos markieren. In mapping or geographic contexts, standorte oder routen markieren denote designated points or routes.

Synonyms and distinctions: Kennzeichnen and markieren are related but carry nuance. Markieren emphasizes selecting, highlighting, or designating a item or section, while kennzeichnen emphasizes labeling or identifying the nature of something; auszeichnen can mean to distinguish or award as a mark of quality. The exact choice depends on context and intent.

Grammar: Markieren is a regular verb. Present: ich markiere, du markierst, er markiert, wir markieren, ihr markiert, sie markieren. Perfect: ich habe markiert. Imperative: Markiere das! Markiert das! Plural passive forms exist in more formal or technical text.

See also: Markierung, Kennzeichnung, Tagging, Annotieren.