zerstören

destroy

verb tser-SHTUH-ren Less Common

Usage Note

zerstören carries the prefix zer-, which across German verbs signals breaking something apart or to pieces (zerreißen, zerbrechen). It implies thorough ruin, stronger than kaputtmachen (to break) and used for cities, hopes, or relationships alike.

Examples

"Der Sturm zerstörte viele Häuser."

Natural Translation

The storm destroyed many houses.

Literal Translation

The storm destroyed many houses.

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