zerstreuen
disperse
The German word "zerstreuen" is a verb that means "to disperse" or "to scatter". It is composed of the prefix "zer-" which often implies breaking apart or separation and the word "streuen," which means "to sprinkle" or "to spread". "Zerstreuen" can be used in both a physical context (like scattering seeds) and a figurative one (such as dispersing thoughts or worries).
Similar words in German include "verstreuen" (to scatter, particularly over a broader area), "aufteilen" (to divide) and "trennen" (to separate).
The difference lies in the connotation and usage: "zerstreuen" implies a more chaotic or often abrupt separation, while "verstreuen" can suggest a more deliberate action of sprinkling or spreading evenly. "Aufteilen" focuses on dividing into parts rather than scattering, and "trennen" denotes an intention to separate things that were previously together.
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Examples
Nach dem Unterricht zerstreuten sich die Schüler auf dem Schulhof.verb
After class the students dispersed in the schoolyard.
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