morsch
rotten
Damaged by decay or age so that something is loose, brittle, and no longer stable.
EXAMPLE
Der morsche Ast brach unter dem Gewicht des Vogels ab.
The rotten branch broke off under the weight of the bird.
morsch
rotten
morsch – morscher – am morschsten
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Meanings
morsch
rotten
In a figurative sense, no longer viable or stable; characterized by internal weakness.
EXAMPLE
Das morsche politische System konnte die Krise nicht bewältigen.
The rotten political system was unable to cope with the crisis.
Forms
Forms adapted from the German Wiktionary entry morsch, by Wiktionary contributors, licence CC BY-SA 4.0.
Comparison
| basic form | morsch |
|---|---|
| comparative | morscher |
| superlative | am morschsten |
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 morsch.
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 morsch.
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 morsch.
Usage tips
Context clue
With „morsch“ (rotten), the nouns in the sentence indicate which meaning is intended: with wood, branches, or beams, it usually refers to a brittle material structure; with systems, structures, or institutions, „morsch“ (rotten) can express a lack of internal stability or functionality.
EXAMPLE
Der morsche Balken musste ausgetauscht werden.
The rotten beam had to be replaced.
Die morsche Verwaltungsstruktur verhinderte schnelle Entscheidungen.
The rotten administrative structure prevented quick decisions.
Typical collocations
For the literal meaning, „morsch“ (rotten) is especially common with wood and parts of trees or buildings. Typical collocations are „morsches Holz“ (rotten wood), „ein morscher Ast“ (a rotten branch), and „morsche Balken“ (rotten beams).
EXAMPLE
Wegen des morschen Holzes wurde der alte Zaun abgerissen.
The old fence was torn down because of the rotten wood.
Figurative collocations
In its figurative meaning, „morsch“ (rotten) often describes abstract structures that still exist outwardly but no longer function reliably internally. Common collocations are „ein morsches System“ (a rotten system), „eine morsche Struktur“ (a rotten structure), and „eine morsche Institution“ (a rotten institution).
EXAMPLE
Die morsche Organisationsstruktur führte immer wieder zu Konflikten.
The rotten organizational structure repeatedly led to conflicts.
In real life
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