German word

beschädigen

Pronunciation

IPA/bəˈʃɛːdɪgn̩/

Meaning

  • verbdamage

Example

Die Firma hat das Paket beschädigt.

The company damaged the package.

Illustration for beschädigen (damage)

More examples

Beim Transport wurde das Paket beschädigt.

During transport, the package was damaged.

Core concept

A functioning object has a crack, dent, or other harm that affects its appearance or use.

Common phrases

  • das Paket beschädigen

    damage the package

  • das Auto beschädigen

    damage the car

  • die Ware beschädigen

    damage the goods

Similar words

kaputtmachen: Break something and make it unusable, often in casual speech.
kaputtgehen: Become damaged enough to stop working or being usable.
zerstören: Destroy something so completely that it cannot be restored.
schädigen: Cause harm to function, value, health, or overall condition.

Definition in German

ein transitives Verb; einen Gegenstand so zu beeinträchtigen, dass er Schaden erleidet

Word origin

Beschädigen developed from be- plus schädigen, which derives from the noun Schaden and applies harm to a target.

Usage tips

  • Beschädigen normally takes an accusative object, as in "jemand beschädigt das Paket"; the passive is "Das Paket wird beschädigt".

Other meanings

  • harmverb
  • impairverb

Opposites

Related words

Word lists with this word