adjective

verdorben

spoil · upset

Dieses Wort beschreibt Essen, das nicht mehr frisch ist und das man nicht mehr essen sollte, weil es schlecht geworden ist oder unangenehm riecht.

Definition & meaning

Verdorben is the past participle of verderben and is also used as an adjective. Its meaning depends on context:

Spoiled, rotten, or no longer edible
Used for food that has gone bad.
- Das Fleisch ist verdorben. — “The meat is spoiled.”
Ruined or spoiled in a general sense
Something can be damaged or made unusable.
- Der Regen hat den Ausflug verdorben. — “The rain ruined the excursion.”
Morally corrupt or depraved
Describes a person whose character is considered morally bad.
- Er gilt als ein verdorbener Mensch. — “He is considered a corrupt/depraved person.”
Spoiled or indulged
Especially when describing a child who has been given too much and behaves badly.
- Das Kind ist verdorben. — “The child is spoiled.”

Grammar & Word origin

Word class: adjective and past participle
Infinitive:
Past tense:
Perfect participle:
Auxiliary verb: usually when something has become spoiled; when someone or something has ruined something else
- Das Essen ist verdorben. — “The food has gone bad.”
- Sie hat den Abend verdorben. — “She ruined the evening.”

The word consists of the prefix and the root related to , meaning “firm,” “robust,” or “coarse.” The prefix indicates a negative change or deterioration.

Synonyms & antonyms

Synonyms

The appropriate synonym depends on the meaning:

Spoiled or rotten food: , ,
These are more specific: faul often means rotten, ranzig is mainly used for fats and oils, and unbrauchbar means unusable rather than specifically spoiled.
Ruined: , ,
These usually refer to damage or destruction, whereas verdorben can also refer to food or a person’s character.
Morally corrupt: , ,
These emphasize immoral or degraded character.
Spoiled through excessive indulgence: ,
Verwöhnt focuses on receiving too much special treatment; unerzogen focuses on poor manners or a lack of discipline.