damage
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damage
The process in which something is broken or its function is impaired, or the resulting damage itself.
Die Spedition haftet für die Beschädigung der Ware während des Transports.
The freight company is liable for damage to the goods during transport.
'Die Beschädigung' (damage) belongs to the word family of 'der Schaden' (damage/harm). The verb is 'beschädigen' (to damage). The prefix 'be-' turns it into an action that causes damage to an object. The ending '-ung' describes this action or its result.
Wer ist für die Beschädigung verantwortlich?
Who is responsible for the damage?
The extent of the damage is often described with adjectives. Typical combinations are 'leichte Beschädigung' (minor damage), 'schwere Beschädigung' (serious damage), or 'mutwillige Beschädigung' (deliberate damage).
Zum Glück war es nur eine leichte Beschädigung am Lack.
Luckily, it was only minor damage to the paintwork.
To describe the location of the damage on an object more precisely, the preposition 'an' with the dative is often used.
Die Beschädigung an der Stoßstange war teuer zu reparieren.
The damage to the bumper was expensive to repair.
damage / harm
When referring to an object, Schaden and Beschädigung can describe the same visible result. Beschädigung focuses more on the specific damaged area or the act of damaging something; Schaden focuses more on the resulting impairment of its value, function, or appearance.
Die Beschädigung am Auto ist ein langer Kratzer in der Fahrertür.
The damage to the car is a long scratch on the driver’s door.
Der Kratzer ist klein, doch der Schaden senkt den Wert des Autos.
The scratch is small, but the damage lowers the car’s value.
