vandalism
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vandalism
The deliberate and senseless destruction or damage of public property or property belonging to others.
Der Vandalismus in der Schule hat zu hohen Reparaturkosten geführt.
The vandalism at the school led to high repair costs.
The ending '-ismus' (-ism) is often used for behaviors, worldviews, or movements, often with a negative meaning. Here it indicates repeated, destructive behavior.
Die Stadt kämpft gegen den zunehmenden Vandalismus im Park.
The city is fighting against the increasing vandalism in the park.
Common verbs in connection with vandalism are 'Vandalismus begehen' (to commit vandalism) and 'Vandalismus verhindern' (to prevent vandalism).
Die Täter, die den Vandalismus begangen haben, wurden noch nicht gefasst.
The perpetrators who committed the vandalism have not yet been caught.
'Vandalismus' (vandalism) is an uncountable noun. It is often used with prepositions that describe the damage or the people affected, for example 'Schäden durch Vandalismus' (damage caused by vandalism) or 'Opfer von Vandalismus' (victims of vandalism).
Die Reparatur der Schäden durch Vandalismus wird teuer.
Repairing the damage caused by vandalism will be expensive.
destruction
'die Zerstörung' and 'der Vandalismus' overlap because in both cases things can be damaged. But 'Zerstörung' is more general: it can be caused by people, war, fire, accidents, or natural disasters. 'Vandalismus' means deliberate and senseless damaging or destruction, usually of public property or property belonging to others. The words can be confused if, for example, a bus stop is broken. The broken state is 'Zerstörung' (destruction); if someone did it deliberately and without a good reason, the action is called 'Vandalismus' (vandalism).
Morgen spricht die Stadtverwaltung über den Vandalismus an den Bushaltestellen.
Tomorrow the city administration will discuss the vandalism at the bus stops.
Nach dem Erdbeben war die Zerstörung in der Stadt sehr groß.
After the earthquake, the destruction in the city was very great.