to sadden
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to sadden
To make someone sad or distressed. This word is often used in a somewhat more formal or literary context.
Die Nachricht von seinem plötzlichen Tod hat uns alle tief betrübt.
The news of his sudden death deeply saddened us all.
The verb has the inseparable prefix 'be-' and the stem 'trüb', which means 'gloomy' or 'sad'. So 'betrüben' (to sadden) literally means to make someone 'gloomy'.
Sein Schweigen betrübte sie.
His silence saddened her.
The cause of the sadness is the subject, while the person who becomes sad is in the accusative. The past participle 'betrübt' (saddened, distressed) is also often used as an adjective.
Diese Entwicklung betrübt mich sehr.
This development saddens me greatly.
'Betrüben' (to sadden) is a rather formal and elevated word. It is rarely used in everyday colloquial speech.
Es betrübt uns, Ihnen mitteilen zu müssen, dass die Veranstaltung ausfällt.
We are saddened to inform you that the event has been canceled.
to cloud / to spoil
Both verbs describe a negative influence. “Trüben” usually describes a mood or pleasant situation becoming worse; “betrüben” is directed at a person and emphasizes making them sad or distressed. So ask whether the focus is on the mood or on a person.
Die schlechte Nachricht betrübte alle Gäste bei unserem gemeinsamen Abendessen.
The bad news saddened all the guests at our dinner together.
Die schlechte Nachricht trübte die Stimmung bei unserem gemeinsamen Abendessen.
The bad news spoiled the mood at our dinner together.
