verletzen
get injured · hurt · injure
Jemandem körperlichen oder seelischen Schaden zufügen.
Definition & meaning
The verb verletzen is a transitive verb in German with several nuances:
- Physical harm: To cause a physical injury or wound to a person or animal.
- Abstract harm: To offend, insult, or hurt someone's feelings (often used as sich verletzt fühlen).
- Violation: To break or infringe upon a rule, law, contract, or someone's privacy or rights.
Grammar & Word origin
Grammar:
- Type: Weak verb (regular conjugation).
- Conjugation: verletzen (infinitive) - verletzte (simple past) - hat verletzt (present perfect).
- Reflexive usage: It is very commonly used reflexively as sich verletzen (to injure oneself/get hurt).
Origin: The word is derived from the prefix ver- (indicating a negative or destructive process) and the Middle High German letzen (to hinder, damage, or harm). It shares a historical root with the German word letzt (last), implying a separation or an end to something.
Synonyms & antonyms
Synonyms:
- Physical injury: verwunden, beschädigen, schädigen.
- Offending: kränken, beleidigen, wehtun.
- Violating: missachten, verstoßen gegen, brechen.
Antonyms:
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Examples
Er verletzt sich beim Sport.verb
He is getting injured while doing sports.
Du solltest niemanden verletzen.verb
You should hurt no one.
Sie hat sich verletzt.verb
She has hurt herself.
Er konnte sich mit dem Messer verletzen.verb
He could injure himself with the knife.
Du willst mich doch nicht verletzen.verb
You do not want to hurt me.
Die Worte verletzten ihn sehr.verb
The words hurt him very much.
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