German Conversation · Level 154
30 words
German word
ertrinken
Pronunciation
IPA/ɛɐ̯ˈtʁɪŋkən/
Meaning
- verbdrown
Example
Er ertrank im Fluss.
He drowned in the river.
More examples
Selbst geübte Schwimmer ertrinken in starken Strömungen.
Even experienced swimmers drown in strong currents.
Core concept
A swimmer slips beneath the surface, cannot get air, and dies in the water.
Common phrases
in starken Strömungen ertrinken
drown in strong currents
an abgelegenen Stränden ertrinken
drown at remote beaches
Similar words
ersticken: A person dies when unable to breathe because air cannot enter the lungs.
ersaufen: In colloquial use, a person dies when water enters the lungs.
ertränken: A person or animal is made to die by being held under water.
sinken: A thing or vessel descends into water or toward a lower level.
Definition in German
Als intransitives Verb durch Ersticken im Wasser sterben.
Word origin
Ertrinken is an inherited Germanic formation combining the prefix er- with the verb trinken, meaning "to drink".
Usage tips
- Ertrinken is intransitive, while ertränken is transitive: "Er ertrank" means the subject drowned, but "Sie ertränkte ihn" means she drowned him.