01
der Ruin
ruin
The complete financial, economic, or even social collapse of a person, company, or institution.
example
Die riskanten Spekulationen haben das Unternehmen in den Ruin getrieben.
The risky speculation drove the company into ruin.
der Ruin
ruin
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Meanings
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Usage tips
Word family
'Der Ruin' belongs to the word family of 'ruinieren' (to ruin/destroy) and 'die Ruine' (a ruined building). All the words share the basic meaning of destruction and decay.
EXAMPLE
Die schlechte Ernte hat viele Bauern ruiniert.
The poor harvest ruined many farmers.
Dramatic effect
The word 'Ruin' is very strong and expresses a final, total collapse. It is often used to describe a dramatic or very serious situation.
EXAMPLE
Der Betrug bedeutete den Ruin seines guten Rufs.
The fraud meant the ruin of his good reputation.
Fixed expressions
In a financial context, 'Ruin' is often used in fixed expressions. Very common are 'jemanden/etwas in den Ruin treiben' (to drive someone/something into ruin) and 'vor dem Ruin stehen' (to be on the brink of ruin).
EXAMPLE
Seine Spielsucht hat ihn fast in den Ruin getrieben.
His gambling addiction nearly drove him into ruin.
Personal ruin
When it is about personal or health-related destruction, 'Ruin' is often used with a genitive attribute or a possessive adjective. It then describes the cause or the result of a negative process.
EXAMPLE
Die jahrelange harte Arbeit war der Ruin seiner Ehe.
The years of hard work were the ruin of his marriage.
Compare with
Ruin vs Grab
grave
'das Grab' and 'der Ruin' can both speak figuratively about the end or failure of something. 'das Grab' sounds like a place where something disappears or goes under for good. 'der Ruin' more strongly means complete collapse, often financially, economically, or also personally. If a plan 'sein Grab findet' (finds its grave), it is at an end. If someone 'in den Ruin' gerät (falls into ruin), they lose a great deal, for example money, health, or their livelihood. 'Ruin' is therefore more precise when the topic is serious damage or collapse.
Ruin
Die hohen Schulden brachten das kleine Geschäft in den Ruin.
The high debts brought the small business to ruin.
Grab
Zu viele Fehler wurden zum Grab des Projekts.
Too many mistakes became the grave of the project.
In real life
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