adjectiveother
abgerissen
demolished
Definition & meaning
The word abgerissen is the past participle of the German verb abreißen , but it is also frequently used as an adjective. It has several distinct meanings depending on the context:
- Demolished or torn down: In a physical sense, it describes a structure, such as a building or a wall, that has been intentionally destroyed or removed.
- Tattered or ragged: When describing a person's appearance or their clothing, it means looking scruffy, worn out, or dressed in rags. It suggests a state of neglect or poverty.
- Broken or interrupted: In the context of communication, a sequence, or a connection, it refers to something that has stopped abruptly. For example, if contact with someone has ceased, it is described as "der Kontakt ist abgerissen."
- Torn off: Literally, something that has been pulled away from its main part with force, such as a button from a shirt or a leaf from a calendar.
Grammar & Word origin
abgerissen is the Partizip II (past participle) of the strong verb abreißen .
The word is composed of two parts:
- ab-: A prefix meaning "away" or "off."
- gerissen: The past participle form of reißen , which means "to tear" or "to rip."
As an adjective, it follows standard German declension patterns (e.g., ein abgerissener Mann, die abgerissene Fassade).
Synonyms & antonyms
Synonyms
- Regarding buildings: niedergerissen , zerstört , abgebrochen .
- Regarding appearance: zerlumpt , schäbig , ungepflegt , heruntergekommen .
- Regarding connection: unterbrochen , beendet , abgebrochen .
Antonyms
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Examples
Das alte Gebäude ist abgerissen worden.other
The old building has been demolished.
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