verbiegen
to bend
To bend something through force so that it becomes crooked or loses its original shape.
EXAMPLE
Ich habe aus Versehen den Schlüssel im Schloss verbogen.
I accidentally bent the key in the lock.
verbiegen
to bend / distort
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Meanings
sich verbiegen
to compromise oneself
To change one's character, convictions, or behavior against one's own nature in order to please others or adapt.
EXAMPLE
Er musste sich für den Job nicht verbiegen und konnte authentisch bleiben.
He didn't have to compromise himself for the job and was able to stay authentic.
verbiegen
to distort
To twist or misrepresent facts, the truth, or the law in order to achieve a particular purpose.
EXAMPLE
Der Anwalt versuchte, das Recht zu seinen Gunsten zu verbiegen.
The lawyer tried to distort the law in his favor.
Usage tips
Inseparable verb
'Verbiegen' (to bend/distort) is an inseparable verb. The prefix 'ver-' stays firmly attached to the verb stem 'biegen' (to bend) in all tenses and sentence constructions. It often points to an incorrect or negative result.
EXAMPLE
Er hat den Fahrradlenker bei dem Sturz verbogen.
He bent the bicycle handlebars in the fall.
Recognizing the meaning
You can recognize the meaning of 'verbiegen' (to bend/distort) from the object: with a physical object, e.g. 'Metall' (metal), it is meant literally. If the verb is reflexive, 'sich verbiegen' (to compromise oneself), it is about character. With an abstract object, e.g. 'die Wahrheit' (the truth), it means 'verdrehen' (to twist/distort).
EXAMPLE
Der starke Wind hat das Verkehrsschild verbogen.
The strong wind bent the traffic sign.
Reflexive use
The figurative meaning of adapting one's personality is always expressed reflexively with 'sich verbiegen' (to compromise oneself). It often appears in a context where someone should not or does not have to do exactly that.
EXAMPLE
Es ist wichtig, authentisch zu sein und sich nicht zu verbiegen.
It is important to be authentic and not to compromise yourself.
Compare with
verbiegen vs beugen
to bend
Beugen and verbiegen can both express deliberately misusing the law. Das Recht beugen is the established expression for disregarding or manipulating the law; das Recht verbiegen is more strongly metaphorical and emphasizes twisting it for a particular purpose.
verbiegen
Der Beamte verbiegt das Recht, bis es seinem eigenen Zweck dient.
The official distorts the law until it serves his own purpose.
beugen
Der Beamte beugt das Recht, um seinem Freund einen Vorteil zu verschaffen.
The official bends the law to give his friend an advantage.
In real life
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