betroffen
affected
Immediately affected or harmed by an event, measure, or problem.
EXAMPLE
Viele Familien sind von der Überschwemmung betroffen.
Many families are affected by the flooding.
betroffen
affected / distressed
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Meanings
betroffen sein
deeply moved
To be emotionally touched, shaken, or saddened by something.
EXAMPLE
Sie war von der Nachricht tief betroffen.
She was deeply moved by the news.
betroffen
embarrassed
Embarrassed, at a loss, or ashamed because one is confronted with an unpleasant situation.
EXAMPLE
Nach dieser unerwarteten Frage war er sichtlich betroffen.
After this unexpected question, he looked visibly embarrassed.
Forms
Forms adapted from the German Wiktionary entry betroffen, by Wiktionary contributors, licence CC BY-SA 4.0.
Comparison
| basic form | betroffen |
|---|
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 betroffen.
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 betroffen.
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 betroffen.
Usage tips
The right preposition
The cause or problem is often introduced with 'von' and the dative. A typical pattern is 'von etwas betroffen sein' (to be affected by something).
EXAMPLE
Auch kleinere Unternehmen sind von den neuen Regeln betroffen.
Even smaller companies are affected by the new regulations.
Typical collocations
For a strong emotional reaction, 'tief betroffen sein' (to be deeply moved) and 'sich betroffen zeigen' (to show that one is deeply moved) are typical collocations. With 'sich betroffen zeigen', the focus is on the reaction visible to others.
EXAMPLE
Die Nachbarn zeigten sich tief betroffen, als sie von dem tödlichen Unfall erfuhren.
The neighbors were deeply moved when they learned about the fatal accident.
Describing reactions
In unpleasant situations, 'betroffen' (embarrassed) is often used with 'schweigen' (to remain silent), 'zu Boden blicken' (to look down at the ground), or 'jemanden ansehen' (to look at someone). The exact reaction often becomes clear only from the occasion and the person's behavior.
EXAMPLE
Als die Chefin ihn auf seinen Fehler ansprach, blickte er betroffen zu Boden.
When the boss pointed out his mistake, he looked embarrassed and stared at the ground.
In real life
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