German Conversation · Level 45
73 words
German word
zerstören
Pronunciation
IPA/tsɛɐ̯ˈʃtøːʁən/
Meaning
- verbdestroy
Example
Das Erdbeben hat das Gebäude zerstört.
The earthquake has destroyed the building.
More examples
Die Industrie hat die Umwelt zerstört.
The industry has destroyed the environment.
Core concept
The original whole disappears under severe damage, leaving no workable version of it.
Common phrases
die Umwelt zerstören
destroy the environment
die Stimmung zerstören
ruin the mood
Similar words
beschädigen: Harms part of something or its function without completely destroying it.
kaputtmachen: Makes something unusable in a casual, conversational way.
zerbrechen: Splits a hard object apart through strong physical force.
ruinieren: Badly spoils plans or hopes and seriously damages reputation.
Definition in German
etwas vollständig vernichten oder so beschädigen, dass es sich nicht wiederherstellen lässt
Word origin
German inherited zerstören as a borrowing from Latin destruere through older German zerstœren, not as a modern combination of zer- and stören.
Usage tips
- German also uses zerstören with abstract objects such as Vertrauen, Hoffnungen, and Pläne, not only with physical things.