relativieren
Translation
to put into perspective, to qualify, to relativize
Examples
Man muss die Zahlen relativieren.
One must put the numbers into perspective.
Er versuchte, seine Aussage zu relativieren.
He tried to qualify his statement.
Grammar Patterns
((sth.)) to put (sth.) into perspective You have to put your own opinion into perspective.
Similar Words
in Beziehung setzen (to relate), einschränken (to qualify); Antonyms: verabsolutieren (to make absolute)
Etymology
Derived from the adjective 'relativ'. The suffix '-ieren' forms verbs, meaning 'to make relative'.
Memory Tips
Think of making something 'relative' instead of absolute. You're showing how it relates to other things, which often lessens its perceived importance.