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Zerstörung

destruction

noun tser-SHTOE-rung Less Common

Origin: from zerstören ('to destroy') + -ung

Usage Note

Zerstörung denotes the act or state of destroying; the zer- prefix throughout German signals breaking apart, as in zerbrechen ('to shatter'). The -ung ending keeps it feminine.

Examples

"Der Krieg brachte große Zerstörung."

Natural Translation

The war brought great destruction.

Literal Translation

The war brought great destruction.

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