German word

Schaden

Pronunciation

IPA/ˈʃaːdn̩/

Meaning

  • masculine noundamage

Example

Die Versicherung deckt den Schaden nicht.

The insurance does not cover the damage.

Illustration for Schaden (damage)

More examples

Nach dem Sturm hatte das Dach glücklicherweise keinen Schaden.

After the storm, the roof fortunately had no damage.

Core concept

A negative result that leaves a person, object, or situation worse off.

Common phrases

  • keinen Schaden haben

    have no damage

  • den Schaden bezahlen

    pay for the damage

Similar words

Verlust: The disappearance of something owned, held, or valued.
Zerstörung: The complete ruin of an object or building beyond restoration.
Beschädigung: Physical harm limited to part of an object or its surface.
Nachteil: An unfavorable aspect that makes a situation less advantageous.

Definition in German

Ein Zustand, in dem etwas durch Einwirkung weniger wert, beschädigt oder verloren ist.

Word origin

Schaden continues an old Germanic word for harm, with related forms in German schaden and English scathe.

Usage tips

  • The verb schaden takes a dative object, as in Das schadet mir, whereas the noun appears in phrases such as jemandem Schaden zufügen.

Other meanings

  • harmnoun
  • lossnoun
  • injurynoun

Opposites

Related words

  • schadenfreidamage-freeadjective

Word lists with this word