run-down
heruntergekommen – heruntergekommener – am heruntergekommensten
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run-down
In very poor condition due to a lack of care or maintenance. This is especially used to describe buildings, rooms, and residential areas.
Das heruntergekommene Hotel hatte undichte Fenster und Schimmel an den Wänden.
The run-down hotel had leaky windows and mold on the walls.
down-and-out
Having declined significantly in one's personal and social circumstances and become neglected. When used about people, this description is derogatory.
Der einst wohlhabende Geschäftsmann wirkte inzwischen völlig heruntergekommen und trug nur noch schmutzige, zerrissene Kleidung.
The once wealthy businessman now looked completely down-and-out and wore only dirty, torn clothes.
run-down
Physically very weak and in poor health.
Nach der langen Krankheit war sie körperlich so heruntergekommen, dass sie kaum noch gehen konnte.
After the long illness, she was so physically run-down that she could barely walk.
| basic form | heruntergekommen |
|---|---|
| comparative | heruntergekommener |
| superlative | am heruntergekommensten |
| 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 heruntergekommen.
| 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 heruntergekommen.
| 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 heruntergekommen.
“Heruntergekommen” (run-down) is the participle of the separable verb “herunterkommen” (to decline / to become run-down). As an adjective, it often appears before a noun or after “sein” (to be), describing a condition.
Das heruntergekommene Haus steht seit Jahren leer.
The run-down house has been empty for years.
Der alte Bahnhof ist völlig heruntergekommen.
The old train station is completely run-down.
For buildings and places, common combinations include “ein heruntergekommenes Haus” (a run-down house), “ein heruntergekommenes Hotel” (a run-down hotel), “ein heruntergekommenes Zimmer” (a run-down room), and “ein heruntergekommenes Viertel” (a run-down neighborhood).
Sie fanden eine günstige Wohnung in einem heruntergekommenen Viertel.
They found an affordable apartment in a run-down neighborhood.
When “heruntergekommen” (down-and-out) describes a person, the term is usually derogatory and can be hurtful. In such sentences, the adjective often refers to the person's appearance or living conditions.
Nach Jahren auf der Straße sah der Mann ziemlich heruntergekommen aus.
After years on the streets, the man looked pretty down-and-out.
When referring to a person's health, “heruntergekommen” (run-down) often appears with expressions such as “körperlich” (physically) or “nach einer Krankheit” (after an illness). This emphasizes that a person has become severely weakened.
Durch die monatelange Mangelernährung war der Gefangene körperlich völlig heruntergekommen.
Months of malnutrition had left the prisoner completely physically run-down.
