01
ertrinken
to drown
To die by suffocating in water or another liquid.
example
Ohne die schnelle Hilfe des Rettungsschwimmers wäre der Junge im See ertrunken.
Without the lifeguard's quick help, the boy would have drowned in the lake.
ertrinken
to drown
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Meanings
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Usage tips
Word structure with 'er-'
The prefix 'er-' often indicates a final or fatal result of an action. 'Ertrinken' (to drown) follows this pattern, derived from 'trinken' (to drink), and describes death by liquid.
EXAMPLE
Viele Insekten ertrinken nach einem starken Regen in Pfützen.
Many insects drown in puddles after heavy rain.
Perfect tense with 'sein'
Since 'ertrinken' (to drown) describes a change of state (from life to death), the perfect tense is always formed with the auxiliary verb 'sein' (to be).
EXAMPLE
Der Mann ist bei dem Bootsunfall beinahe ertrunken.
The man nearly drowned in the boating accident.
Context clue
Whether the literal or figurative meaning is meant can be recognized from context. If the verb refers to a liquid such as water, it is literal. If it refers to an abstract concept such as work or worries, it is figurative.
EXAMPLE
Im kalten Wasser des Flusses ist ein Reh ertrunken.
A deer drowned in the cold water of the river.
Typical collocations
In the figurative meaning, 'ertrinken' (to drown) is often combined with the preposition 'in' and abstract nouns. Common expressions are 'in Arbeit ertrinken' (to drown in work), 'in Schulden ertrinken' (to drown in debt), or 'in Selbstmitleid ertrinken' (to drown in self-pity).
EXAMPLE
Nach der Gründung ihrer Firma ertrank sie förmlich in Arbeit.
After founding her company, she was practically drowning in work.
Compare with
ertrinken vs untergehen
to set / sink / perish
'ertrinken' and 'untergehen' can both have to do with water and danger. 'ertrinken' is used for people or animals that die in water because they can no longer breathe. 'untergehen' means that something sinks in the water and does not come back up, for example a boat or a ship. A person can 'im Wasser untergehen' (go under in the water), but that does not yet say for certain that they die. Learners easily confuse the words because both occur in accidents in water. The important point is: 'ertrinken' emphasizes death by water, while 'untergehen' emphasizes sinking.
ertrinken
Ohne schnelle Hilfe kann ein Mensch in tiefem Wasser ertrinken.
Without quick help, a person can drown in deep water.
untergehen
Nach dem Sturm ist das kleine Boot im See untergegangen.
After the storm, the small boat sank in the lake.
In real life
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