untersetzen

Untersetzen is a German verb that means to reduce or to place something in a lower position, with a technical emphasis in mechanical contexts. The related noun Untersetzung denotes the reduction itself, most commonly in drive systems as a gear reduction.

In mechanical engineering and vehicle technology, Untersetzung describes the use of a reduction gear or a low gear to lower the output speed while increasing torque. This is expressed by a gear ratio greater than one, for example 3:1 or 4.5:1, where the input shaft turns faster than the output shaft. The practical effect is higher torque at the output, at the cost of reduced speed and typically higher fuel consumption or energy use. Untersetzung can be achieved by selecting a lower gear within a gearbox or by dedicated reduction gears in stationary drives such as winches, conveyors, or lifting mechanisms. It is a standard concept in transmissions and powertrains, and engineers distinguish it from other gearing concepts by emphasizing the speed reduction and torque increase.

The term is mainly used in technical and engineering contexts; in everyday language it appears less frequently. The noun Untersetzung is often used in discussions of transmissions, gearboxes, and machinery to specify the reduction stage or ratio involved. In contrast, the general idea of gear ratio is more broadly described by Übersetzung, while Untersetzung specifically implies a reduction to gain torque.