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zerrissen

torn, ripped

adjective tser-RIS-en Rare

Also means

torn apart (emotionally)

Usage Note

zerrissen describes fabric or material that has been ripped; emotionally it means someone is deeply conflicted or torn between two things. Innerlich zerrissen is a common emotional idiom.

Examples

"Er trug ein zerrissenes T-Shirt und schien sich dabei nichts zu denken."

Natural Translation

He was wearing a torn T-shirt and did not seem to think anything of it.

Literal Translation

He wore a torn T-shirt and seemed to think nothing of it.

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