German Conversation · Level 90
60 words
German word
verderben
Pronunciation
IPA/fɛɐ̯ˈdɛʁbən/
Meaning
- verbruin
Example
Das schlechte Wetter hat unser Picknick verdorben.
The bad weather ruined our picnic.
More examples
Ein falscher Kommentar kann die ganze Stimmung einer Diskussion verderben.
A wrong comment can ruin the entire atmosphere of a discussion.
Core concept
A useful thing loses its quality until it is spoiled, ruined, or morally corrupted.
Common phrases
den Plan verderben
ruin the plan
die Stimmung verderben
ruin the atmosphere
das Fest verderben
ruin the event
Similar words
kaputtmachen: To physically break something so that it no longer works properly.
beschädigen: To damage part of something or impair one of its functions.
ruinieren: To ruin a plan or reputation so badly that recovery is nearly impossible.
verfaulen: To rot until food becomes spoiled and inedible.
Definition in German
sich oder etwas schlecht werden lassen; etwas ruinieren
Word origin
Verderben is an inherited Germanic verb recorded in Old High German ferdereban and Middle High German verderben, with ver- accompanying an older verb connected with deterioration.
Usage tips
- German uses verderben both transitively for spoiling or ruining something and intransitively for going bad, as in Das Essen verdirbt.