verspielen
squander
Etwas durch schlechtes Verhalten oder falsche Entscheidungen verlieren, zum Beispiel eine Chance oder das Vertrauen von anderen.
Definition & meaning
The German verb verspielen primarily refers to losing something through play or gambling. It has two main contexts:
- To lose something in a game: This is most commonly used when someone loses money, assets, or property while gambling or playing games of chance. For example, one might lose their entire fortune at a casino.
- To forfeit or ruin an opportunity: In a more figurative sense, it means to throw away or ruin a chance, a reputation, or a position through carelessness, bad decisions, or mistakes. If a sports team is leading but then plays poorly and loses, they have "verspielt" their lead.
- Reflexive use (sich verspielen): When used reflexively, it means to make a mistake while playing a musical instrument, such as hitting a wrong note.
Grammar & Word origin
The word is a combination of the prefix ver- and the base verb spielen (to play). In German, the prefix ver- often indicates a negative outcome, an error, or the idea of "away" or "gone" (as in losing something).
It is a weak (regular) verb. Its principal parts are:
- Präsens: ich verspiele, du verspielst
- Präteritum: ich verspielte
- Perfekt: habe verspielt
Synonyms & antonyms
Synonyms
- In the context of gambling: verlieren, verzocken, durchbringen.
- In the context of opportunities: vergeuden, verderben, vertun, ruinieren.
Antonyms
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Examples
Er darf seine Chance nicht verspielen.verb
He must not squander his opportunity.
Man sollte die Gelegenheit nicht verspielen.verb
One should not squander the opportunity.
Die Mannschaft hat fast den Sieg verspielt.verb
The team almost squandered the victory.
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