trüben
to cloud
To make a clear liquid opaque or unclear.
EXAMPLE
Der aufgewirbelte Sand trübte das klare Wasser des Sees.
The stirred-up sand clouded the clear water of the lake.
trüben
to cloud / to spoil
Checking...
Loading your saved state.
Meanings
trüben
to spoil
To negatively affect or worsen a positive mood, a good relationship, or a pleasant situation.
EXAMPLE
Der Streit über das Geld trübte ihre langjährige Freundschaft.
The argument about the money spoiled their long-standing friendship.
sich trüben
to become cloudy
To become cloudy or overcast (weather), or to lose clarity (one's gaze, mood).
EXAMPLE
Gegen Abend trübte sich der Himmel und es sah nach Regen aus.
Toward evening, the sky became cloudy and it looked like rain.
Usage tips
Word family
The verb 'trüben' (to cloud/to spoil) is closely related to the adjective 'trüb' (cloudy, murky, gloomy). When something 'sich trübt' (becomes cloudy), it becomes 'trüb' (unclear, cloudy, gloomy).
EXAMPLE
Das Wasser wurde nach dem Sturm ganz trüb.
The water became completely murky after the storm.
Context clues
The subject or object reveals the meaning. If it is about liquids ('Wasser' = water), the literal meaning is intended. With abstract nouns ('Stimmung' = mood, 'Freude' = joy), the figurative meaning is intended. With 'Himmel' (sky) or 'Blick' (gaze), the reflexive form is used.
EXAMPLE
Ein Löffel Mehl trübt die klare Suppe.
A spoonful of flour clouds the clear soup.
Typical collocations
In the figurative meaning, 'trüben' (to spoil) is often used with abstract nouns such as 'die Stimmung' (the mood), 'die Freude' (the joy), 'die Beziehung' (the relationship), or 'die Aussichten' (the prospects).
EXAMPLE
Der Regen konnte unsere gute Stimmung nicht trüben.
The rain could not spoil our good mood.
Reflexive use
The reflexive form 'sich trüben' (to become cloudy/to cloud over) is often used for the weather or facial expression. It describes a process of becoming unclear or gloomy.
EXAMPLE
Der Himmel trübte sich und die Sonne verschwand.
The sky became cloudy and the sun disappeared.
Compare with
trüben vs verderben
to spoil / ruin
Both verbs can indicate that an event negatively affects a good mood or someone’s enjoyment. „Trüben“ usually sounds milder: the positive situation is weakened. „Verderben“ more often indicates that the enjoyment or the whole situation is seriously affected.
trüben
Der kurze Streit trübte unsere Freude an der Feier.
The brief argument clouded our enjoyment of the celebration.
verderben
Der Streit verdarb uns die Freude an der Feier.
The argument spoiled our enjoyment of the celebration.
In real life
Loading video examples...