to rot / laze around
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to rot
The process in which organic material such as food or plants is broken down by bacteria or fungi and spoils.
Der Apfel liegt schon so lange hier, dass er anfängt zu faulen.
The apple has been lying here so long that it is starting to rot.
to laze around
Colloquial for being lazy; to rest and do nothing.
Am Sonntag will ich einfach nur auf dem Sofa liegen und faulen.
On Sunday, I just want to lie on the sofa and laze around.
The verb 'faulen' (to rot / to laze around) is derived directly from the adjective 'faul' (rotten/lazy). The adjective also has two meanings: spoiled or rotten ('ein fauler Apfel' — a rotten apple) and lazy ('ein fauler Schüler' — a lazy student). This double meaning is also found in the verb.
Das Holz der alten Brücke ist über die Jahre gefault.
The wood of the old bridge has rotted over the years.
The auxiliary verb in the perfect tense depends on the meaning. For the process of decay (spoiling), 'sein' (to be) is used because it describes a change of state. For resting (being lazy), 'haben' (to have) is used.
Das Obst in der Schale ist schnell gefault.
The fruit in the bowl rotted quickly.
You can recognize the meaning from the subject of the sentence. If the subject is a person, 'faulen' colloquially means 'sich ausruhen' (to rest). If the subject is organic material such as fruit, vegetables, or wood, it means 'verderben' (to spoil/rot).
Nach der anstrengenden Woche will ich am Samstag nur faulen.
After the exhausting week, I just want to laze around on Saturday.
In the meaning 'nichts tun' (to do nothing) or 'sich ausruhen' (to rest), 'faulen' is very colloquial. It is used mainly in informal conversations with friends or family.
Was hast du am Wochenende gemacht? – Nicht viel, ich habe nur gefault.
What did you do at the weekend? – Not much, I just lazed around.
to spoil / ruin
When talking about food, both words can indicate that it is no longer fresh or edible. „Verderben“ is the normal general word for this. „Faulen“ emphasizes the natural decomposition process more strongly, especially with fruit, vegetables, or other organic material.
Die Äpfel faulen schnell, wenn sie in der warmen Küche liegen.
The apples rot quickly if they are left in the warm kitchen.
Die Äpfel verderben schnell, wenn sie in der warmen Küche liegen.
The apples spoil quickly if they are left in the warm kitchen.
