zersetzen
decompose
Etwas langsam auseinanderfallen lassen oder dessen Kraft und Zusammenhalt schwächen.
The German word "zersetzen" is a verb that means "to decompose" or "to disintegrate." It is composed of the prefix "zer-" and the verb "setzen," which means "to set" or "to place." Together, "zersetzen" conveys the idea of something breaking down or falling apart, often used in contexts relating to substances or materials.
Similar words in German include "verrotten" (to rot), "abbauen" (to break down), and "zerfallen" (to disintegrate).
The difference between these words lies in their specific contexts: "verrotten" is typically used for organic matter, "abbauen" can refer more to a general reduction or breakdown process, and "zerfallen" implies a physical breaking apart into smaller pieces, while "zersetzen" emphasizes chemical decomposition or gradual decay.
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Examples
Die Chemikalien zersetzen die Substanz.verb
The chemicals decompose the substance.
Feuchtigkeit kann das Material zersetzen.verb
Moisture can decompose the material.
Bakterien zersetzen das organische Material.verb
Bacteria decompose the organic material.
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