German word

Ruine

Pronunciation

IPA/ʁuˈiːnə/

Meaning

  • feminine nounruin

Example

Wir besichtigen die Ruine der alten Burg.

We are visiting the ruins of the old castle.

Illustration for Ruine (ruin)

More examples

Nach dem Skandal war seine Karriere eine Ruine.

After the scandal, his career was in ruins.

Core concept

A once-standing building is reduced to exposed walls and towers, with its former purpose or stability gone.

Common phrases

  • eine Ruine fotografieren

    photograph a ruin

  • zur Ruine werden

    become a ruin

Similar words

Trümmer: A scattered mass of stone, wood, and other fragments from a collapse.
Zerstörung: The state of being severely damaged and changed from an original condition.
Verfall: The gradual deterioration of a building that reduces its stability and usefulness.
Bauruine: The abandoned shell of a building left standing after its use has ended.

Definition in German

Ruine bezeichnet ein Bauwerk, von dem nur noch Reste wie Mauern oder Türme stehen und das nicht mehr intakt ist.

Word origin

The German noun Ruine was borrowed from French ruine, which goes back to Latin ruina for collapse or downfall.

Usage tips

  • Ruine is feminine, with the plural form Ruinen and the dative singular form der Ruine.

Other meanings

  • remainsnoun

Opposites

Related words

  • ruiniertruinedadjective
  • Ruinierungruinationnoun

Word lists with this word