German Conversation · Level 51
74 words
German word
verschmutzen
Pronunciation
IPA/fɛɐ̯ˈʃmʊt͡sn̩/
Meaning
- verbdirty
Example
Er verschmutzte das Hemd mit Tomatensoße.
He dirtied the shirt with tomato sauce.
More examples
Abwässer verschmutzen häufig Küstengewässer.
Wastewater often pollutes coastal waters.
Core concept
A clean object or environment acquires dirt or harmful substances and loses its original condition.
Common phrases
Abwässer verschmutzen Gewässer
Wastewater pollutes bodies of water
Öltanker verschmutzen das Meer
Oil tankers pollute the sea
Industrieabfälle verschmutzen Böden
Industrial waste pollutes soils
Similar words
verunreinigen: Contaminate water, air, or soil with waste or harmful substances.
beschmutzen: Cover an object's surface or clothing with mud or dirt, harming its appearance.
beflecken: Leave a visible mark on fabric or paper with liquid or oil.
verpesten: Severely foul the air or a place with bad smells or harmful fumes.
Definition in German
etwas in seinem äußeren Zustand durch Dreck oder Schadstoffe negativ verändern, besonders auf Umwelt oder Gegenstände bezogen.
Word origin
The verb is formed from the noun Schmutz, meaning dirt, with the prefix ver- and the infinitive ending -en.
Usage tips
- As a transitive verb, verschmutzen takes an accusative object, as in Er verschmutzte das Hemd; it also occurs without an object for things that become polluted.