German word

verletzen

Pronunciation

IPA/fɛɐ̯ˈlɛt͡sn̩/

Meaning

  • verbhurt

Example

Dein Kommentar verletzt mich.

Your comment hurts me.

Illustration for verletzen (hurt)

More examples

Er hat sich beim Sport verletzt.

He hurt himself while playing sports.

Core concept

A hand, remark, or action leaves a wound in a body, a person's feelings, or a protected boundary.

Common phrases

  • jemanden verletzen

    hurt someone

  • sich verletzen

    hurt oneself

  • die Gefühle verletzen

    hurt someone's feelings

Similar words

kränken: To hurt someone's feelings with words and leave them sad or discouraged.
beleidigen: To insult someone and cause anger or strong offense.
schaden: To cause damage or loss to an object, right, or reputation.
wehtun: To cause pain in the body through touch, a blow, or pressure.

Definition in German

einen Menschen körperlich oder seelisch schädigen; auch ein Recht oder eine Vorschrift verletzen

Word origin

Verletzen comes from Middle High German verletzen, built with ver- and letzen, an older verb meaning 'to injure'; German extended the sense to feelings, rights, and rules.

Usage tips

  • Verletzen is transitive and takes the accusative: jemanden, ein Recht, or eine Vorschrift verletzen.

Other meanings

  • injureverb
  • violateverb
  • infringeverb

Opposites

Related words

Word lists with this word