shipwreck
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shipwreck
The sinking or destruction of a ship on the water, for example due to a storm or a collision.
Nur wenige Passagiere überlebten den Schiffbruch des Luxusdampfers.
Only a few passengers survived the shipwreck of the luxury liner.
to fail completely
In a figurative sense, the complete failure of a plan, undertaking, or life plan.
Ohne die finanzielle Unterstützung wird unser Projekt Schiffbruch erleiden.
Without financial support, our project will fail completely.
'Schiffbruch' (shipwreck) is made up of 'das Schiff' (the ship) and 'der Bruch' (the break). So it literally describes the moment when a ship breaks apart or is destroyed.
Der Sturm führte zum Schiffbruch des Frachters.
The storm led to the freighter's shipwreck.
Both in the literal and the figurative meaning, the fixed expression 'Schiffbruch erleiden' (to suffer shipwreck / to fail completely) is almost always used. This combination is very common and sounds more natural than other formulations.
Das historische Segelschiff hat vor der Küste Schiffbruch erlitten.
The historic sailing ship was shipwrecked off the coast.
When a plan or idea fails, the construction 'mit etwas (Dativ) Schiffbruch erleiden' (to fail with something) is used. The thing that fails is in the dative.
Er hat mit seiner Geschäftsidee Schiffbruch erlitten.
He failed with his business idea.
You can recognize the meaning from the subject. If it is about a ship, a captain, or a journey, the literal meaning is intended. If it is about a person, a project, an idea, or a relationship, the figurative meaning of failure is intended.
Die Titanic erlitt auf ihrer Jungfernfahrt Schiffbruch.
The Titanic was shipwrecked on her maiden voyage.
downfall / sinking / sunset
When referring to the Untergang of a ship, the focus is on its sinking. Schiffbruch refers to the entire disaster in which a ship sinks or is destroyed. Untergang therefore fits the process of sinking, while Schiffbruch fits the disaster as a whole.
Die Besatzung wurde nach dem Schiffbruch von einem Fischerboot gerettet.
The crew was rescued by a fishing boat after the shipwreck.
Die Besatzung verließ das Schiff kurz vor seinem Untergang.
The crew abandoned the ship shortly before it sank.
