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
der Ruin
ruin
A state of destruction, decay, or serious damage, also in a personal or health-related sense.
EXAMPLE
Der ständige Stress war auf Dauer sein gesundheitlicher Ruin.
In the long run, the constant stress was the ruin of his health.
der Ruin
ruin
A badly damaged or decayed building; a ruin. This usage is less common than the feminine form 'die Ruine' (ruin).
EXAMPLE
Das alte Schloss war nach dem Brand nur noch ein rauchgeschwärzter Ruin.
After the fire, the old castle was nothing but a smoke-blackened ruin.
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 Pleite
bankruptcy / flop
Pleite and Ruin can both describe financial failure. Pleite is the colloquial term for financial collapse. Ruin describes complete downfall, which can affect a person's economic or social existence in addition to involving financial loss.
Ruin
Der Verlust von Geschäft, Haus und Ersparnissen bedeutete seinen Ruin.
Losing his business, house, and savings meant his ruin.
Pleite
Die unerwarteten Kosten führten zur Pleite seines kleinen Geschäfts.
The unexpected costs led to the bankruptcy of his small business.
In real life
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