abgerissen
ragged
Looking unkempt, shabby, or run-down, especially when describing a person or their clothing.
EXAMPLE
Der abgerissene Mann schlief auf einer Bank im Park.
The ragged man slept on a bench in the park.
abgerissen
ragged / disjointed
abgerissen – abgerissener – am abgerissensten
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Meanings
abgerissen
disjointed
Lacking coherence, halting, and choppy, especially when describing sentences, words, or thoughts.
EXAMPLE
Der Zeuge sprach in abgerissenen Sätzen und wirkte völlig verstört.
The witness spoke in disjointed sentences and seemed completely distraught.
Forms
Forms adapted from the German Wiktionary entry abgerissen, by Wiktionary contributors, licence CC BY-SA 4.0.
Comparison
| basic form | abgerissen |
|---|---|
| comparative | abgerissener |
| superlative | am abgerissensten |
After der, die, das
| masc. | fem. | neut. | plural | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| nom. | -e | -e | -e | -en |
| acc. | -en | -e | -e | -en |
| dat. | -en | -en | -en | -en |
| gen. | -en | -en | -en | -en |
Add the ending to abgerissen.
After ein, eine
| masc. | fem. | neut. | plural | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| nom. | -er | -e | -es | -en |
| acc. | -en | -e | -es | -en |
| dat. | -en | -en | -en | -en |
| gen. | -en | -en | -en | -en |
Add the ending to abgerissen.
Without article
| masc. | fem. | neut. | plural | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| nom. | -er | -e | -es | -e |
| acc. | -en | -e | -es | -e |
| dat. | -em | -er | -em | -en |
| gen. | -en | -er | -en | -er |
Add the ending to abgerissen.
Usage tips
Word formation
'Abgerissen' (ragged / disjointed) comes from the separable verb 'abreißen' (to tear off): 'ab-' indicates separation, while 'reißen' means to tear. As an adjective, it has developed its own meaning: it describes unkempt, run-down people and clothing, as well as sentences or words that lack coherence.
EXAMPLE
Nach Wochen auf der Straße trug er einen abgerissenen Mantel mit ausgefransten Ärmeln.
After weeks on the streets, he was wearing a ragged coat with frayed sleeves.
Context clue
The noun in the sentence shows which meaning is intended: when referring to a person or their clothing, it concerns an unkempt appearance; when referring to sentences, words, or thoughts, it concerns a lack of coherence.
EXAMPLE
Die abgerissene Gestalt am Bahnhof bat um etwas Kleingeld.
The ragged figure at the train station asked for some spare change.
Von dem Gespräch blieben ihr nur abgerissene Worte im Gedächtnis.
All she could remember from the conversation were a few disjointed words.
Negative evaluation
When describing people, clothing, or outward appearance, 'abgerissen' (ragged) usually conveys a clearly negative judgment. The word often describes clothing that is dirty, damaged, or unkempt.
EXAMPLE
Wegen seiner abgerissenen Kleidung wollte man ihn zunächst nicht in das Hotel lassen.
Because of his ragged clothing, they initially did not want to let him into the hotel.
In real life
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