German word

verbauen

Pronunciation

IPA/fɛɐ̯ˈbaʊ̯ən/

Meaning

  • verbblock

Example

Die neuen Häuser verbauen die Aussicht.

The new buildings block the view.

Illustration for verbauen (block)

More examples

Mit unnötigen Kabeln hat sie das Gerät verbaut, sodass Reparaturen schwer sind.

She installed the device with unnecessary cables, making repairs difficult.

Core concept

Something built into a space blocks what lies beyond, while actions can likewise shut a future route.

Common phrases

  • sich die Möglichkeit verbauen

    forfeit one's opportunity

  • die Technik verbauen

    install the technology

Similar words

versperren: To make a passage unusable by blocking it with something.
blockieren: To hinder movement, traffic, or a process from continuing.
zubauen: To build over an area until little usable space remains.
verstellen: To alter something's position or angle, making it less usable.

Definition in German

durch eigenes Handeln Chancen, Pläne oder die eigene Zukunft dauerhaft einschränken oder unmöglich machen

Word origin

Verbauen combines ver- with bauen ('build'), with the concrete sense of building something into a space extending to blocking and then to ruining opportunities.

Usage tips

  • In the construction sense, verbauen can take a material as its object, as in Holz verbauen, meaning to use wood as part of a structure rather than to ruin it.

Other meanings

  • ruinverb
  • build inverb

Opposites

Related words

  • verbautobstructedadjective
  • Verbauungblockagenoun

Word lists with this word