German word

versinken

Pronunciation

IPA/fɛɐ̯ˈzɪŋkən/

Meaning

  • verbsink

Example

Das Boot versank im Sturm.

The boat sank in the storm.

Illustration for versinken (sink)

More examples

Nach der Pleite versank die Firma im Chaos.

After the bankruptcy, the company sank into chaos.

Core concept

A person or object drops below a surface and disappears from view, while attention can similarly disappear into thoughts or feelings.

Common phrases

  • im Schlamm versinken

    sink into the mud

  • im Alltag versinken

    be lost in everyday life

  • in Schuld versinken

    sink into guilt

Similar words

sinken: To descend to a lower level or position.
untergehen: To go beneath the water or horizon and pass from view.
eintauchen: To plunge into water or another liquid.
ertrinken: To lose one's life by drowning.

Definition in German

Sich ohne äußere Hilfe unter die Oberfläche eines Mediums (z. B. Wasser) bewegen; übertragen: so sehr in Gedanken oder Gefühlen aufgehoben sein, dass man anderes nicht mehr wahrnimmt.

Word origin

Versinken combines the prefix ver- with inherited Germanic sinken, developing the sense of going completely down and the related figurative sense of becoming absorbed.

Usage tips

  • Versinken is a strong, inseparable-prefix verb with the forms sank in the simple past and ist versunken in the perfect.

Other meanings

  • be immersedverb
  • be engrossedverb

Opposites

Related words

  • versunkensunkenadjective
  • Versenkungsinkingnoun

Word lists with this word