to block / to ruin
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to block
To block access to something or the view of something by constructing a building or structure.
Das neue Hochhaus hat uns die schöne Aussicht auf die Berge verbaut.
The new high-rise blocked our beautiful view of the mountains.
to ruin for oneself
To take away one's own future chances or opportunities through wrong decisions or actions.
Mit dieser unüberlegten Aktion hat er sich seine ganze Karriere verbaut.
With this rash action, he ruined his entire career for himself.
to use up
To completely use up building materials during construction.
Wir haben für die Mauer alle Ziegelsteine verbaut, die wir hatten.
We used up all the bricks we had for the wall.
to make a building mistake
To make a mistake while building, so that the result is faulty or does not match the plans.
Der Architekt hat sich bei der Statik komplett verbaut und muss nun alles neu berechnen.
The architect made a complete mistake with the structural design and now has to recalculate everything.
'Verbauen' (to block / to ruin) is an inseparable verb because it begins with 'ver-'. The prefix remains firmly attached to the stem 'bauen' (to build) in all tenses and sentence constructions.
Er hat sich mit dieser Entscheidung die Zukunft verbaut.
With this decision, he ruined his future for himself.
The prefix 'ver-' often has a negative meaning here or indicates a result. It can mean that something is done incorrectly, is blocked, or comes to an end.
Pass auf, dass du dir nicht den Weg nach oben verbaust.
Be careful not to block your own path to the top.
You can recognize the meaning of 'verbauen' (to block / to ruin) from the object: If it is about a view, it means 'block'. With abstract things like 'Karriere' (career) or 'Zukunft' (future), it means 'ruin'. With building materials, it means 'use up'.
Das neue Hotel verbaut allen Anwohnern den Meerblick.
The new hotel blocks all the residents' sea view.
In the figurative meaning 'to take away one's chances', the verb is reflexive and requires the dative. The structure is: person (subject) + verbaut + sich (dative) + chance (accusative).
Durch deine Faulheit verbaust du dir eine gute Note.
Through your laziness, you are ruining your chance of a good grade for yourself.
to install / incorporate
Einbauen and verbauen can both be used in construction work. Einbauen describes firmly integrating a specific element, while verbauen emphasizes that building materials are used up completely during construction. Einbauen fits a single device or component; verbauen is more suitable for the amount of material used.
Für die neue Wand verbauen die Handwerker viele Ziegel.
The workers use up many bricks to build the new wall.
Die Handwerker bauen ein neues Fenster in die Wand ein.
The workers install a new window in the wall.
