niederschmettern
to devastate
To affect someone very deeply emotionally, discouraging or shaking them.
EXAMPLE
Die Nachricht von seiner Kündigung hat ihn niedergeschmettert.
The news that he had been fired devastated him.
niederschmettern
to devastate / knock down
niederschmettern – schmetterte nieder – hat niedergeschmettert
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Meanings
niederschmettern
to knock down
To strike someone or something down with great force.
EXAMPLE
Der harte Schlag konnte den Gegner niederschmettern.
The powerful blow was enough to knock down the opponent.
Forms
Forms adapted from the German Wiktionary entry niederschmettern, by Wiktionary contributors, licence CC BY-SA 4.0.
Present
| ich | schmettere nieder schmettre nieder |
|---|---|
| du | schmetterst nieder |
| er/sie/es | schmettert nieder |
| wir | schmettern nieder |
| ihr | schmettert nieder |
| sie | schmettern nieder |
Simple past
| ich | schmetterte nieder |
|---|---|
| du | schmettertest nieder |
| er/sie/es | schmetterte nieder |
| wir | schmetterten nieder |
| ihr | schmettertet nieder |
| sie | schmetterten nieder |
Perfect
with haben
| ich | habe niedergeschmettert |
|---|---|
| du | hast niedergeschmettert |
| er/sie/es | hat niedergeschmettert |
| wir | haben niedergeschmettert |
| ihr | habt niedergeschmettert |
| sie | haben niedergeschmettert |
Commands
| du | schmetter nieder! schmettere nieder!, schmettre nieder! |
|---|---|
| ihr | schmettert nieder! |
| Sie | schmettern Sie nieder! |
Past perfect
| ich | hatte niedergeschmettert |
|---|---|
| du | hattest niedergeschmettert |
| er/sie/es | hatte niedergeschmettert |
| wir | hatten niedergeschmettert |
| ihr | hattet niedergeschmettert |
| sie | hatten niedergeschmettert |
Future
| ich | werde niederschmettern |
|---|---|
| du | wirst niederschmettern |
| er/sie/es | wird niederschmettern |
| wir | werden niederschmettern |
| ihr | werdet niederschmettern |
| sie | werden niederschmettern |
Subjunctive I
| ich | schmettere nieder schmettre nieder |
|---|---|
| du | schmetterst nieder |
| er/sie/es | schmettere nieder schmettre nieder |
| wir | schmettern nieder |
| ihr | schmettert nieder |
| sie | schmettern nieder |
Used for reported speech.
Subjunctive II
| ich | schmetterte nieder |
|---|---|
| du | schmettertest nieder |
| er/sie/es | schmetterte nieder |
| wir | schmetterten nieder |
| ihr | schmettertet nieder |
| sie | schmetterten nieder |
Used for wishes and “would”.
Other forms
| infinitive | niederschmettern |
|---|---|
| with zu | niederzuschmettern |
| present participle | niederschmetternd |
| past participle | niedergeschmettert |
Usage tips
Separable verb
'Niederschmettern' (to devastate / knock down) is a separable verb. In a main clause, 'nieder' goes at the end of the clause; in a subordinate clause, the verb stays together. In the infinitive with 'zu', 'zu' goes between 'nieder' and 'schmettern'.
EXAMPLE
Die unerwartete Absage schmetterte ihn völlig nieder.
The unexpected rejection completely devastated him.
Sie wusste, dass die Nachricht ihn niederschmettern würde.
She knew that the news would devastate him.
Sie scheute sich, ihm die Wahrheit zu sagen, um ihn nicht niederzuschmettern.
She was reluctant to tell him the truth for fear of devastating him.
Context clues
When the context involves a person, news, or an event, the verb usually refers to a strong emotional impact. When an opponent, an animal, or an object is struck to the ground, the physical meaning is intended.
EXAMPLE
Der plötzliche Tod des Trainers hat die ganze Mannschaft niedergeschmettert.
The coach's sudden death devastated the entire team.
Mit einem einzigen Hieb schmetterte der Kämpfer seinen Gegner nieder.
With a single blow, the fighter knocked down his opponent.
Emotional impact
In its emotional sense, 'niederschmettern' (to devastate) often describes the impact of news, a defeat, or a serious setback. Typical intensifiers are 'völlig' (completely), 'zutiefst' (deeply), and 'seelisch' (emotionally).
EXAMPLE
Die Niederlage im Finale hat die junge Spielerin zutiefst niedergeschmettert.
The defeat in the final deeply devastated the young player.
Physical force
In its physical sense, 'niederschmettern' (to knock down) describes a forceful downward movement and is often used with 'mit einem Schlag' (with a single blow), 'mit großer Wucht' (with great force), or 'zu Boden' (to the ground).
EXAMPLE
Der starke Sturm schmetterte den Ast mit großer Wucht nieder.
The powerful storm knocked down the branch with great force.
In real life
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