01
verdreht
twisted
Physically turned or deformed out of its normal shape or position.
example
Er hat sich das Knie verdreht und kann kaum laufen.
He twisted his knee and can hardly walk.
verdreht
twisted / distorted
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Meanings
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Usage tips
Participle as adjective
'Verdreht' (twisted/distorted) is the past participle of the verb 'verdrehen' (to twist/distort). The prefix 'ver-' often points to a wrong or faulty result. So the word describes something that has been twisted in the wrong way, whether a body part, a fact, or a way of thinking.
EXAMPLE
Die verdrehte Darstellung der Ereignisse hat für viel Ärger gesorgt.
The distorted presentation of the events caused a lot of anger.
Use with body parts
In the physical meaning, the reflexive verb form 'sich etwas verdrehen' (to twist something) is often used. The person is in the nominative, followed by the reflexive pronoun in the dative and the body part in the accusative.
EXAMPLE
Ich habe mir beim Sport den Knöchel verdreht.
I twisted my ankle while doing sports.
Typical collocations
When it is about information, 'verdreht' (distorted) is often combined with nouns such as 'Tatsachen' (facts), 'Worte' (words), 'Aussagen' (statements), or 'die Wahrheit' (the truth). It describes an intentionally falsified reproduction.
EXAMPLE
Er hat meine Worte im Gespräch völlig verdreht.
He completely distorted my words in the conversation.
Register: colloquial language
Describing a person or their ideas as 'verdreht' (eccentric/odd) is colloquial. It expresses that someone is perceived as eccentric, strange, or not quite normal.
EXAMPLE
Manche halten den Künstler für etwas verdreht, aber seine Bilder sind genial.
Some people think the artist is a bit eccentric, but his paintings are brilliant.
Compare with
verdreht vs gerade
right now / straight
'gerade' and 'verdreht' can both describe the shape or position of something. You use 'gerade' when something is not bent, not crooked, and not twisted. 'verdreht' means that something has been turned or deformed out of its normal position. The contrast is especially clear with cables, metal parts, clothing, or body parts: 'gerade' means neatly aligned, while 'verdreht' means twisted the wrong way.
verdreht
Nach dem Waschen war der Ärmel des Pullovers verdreht.
After washing, the sleeve of the sweater was twisted.
gerade
Bitte halte das Lineal gerade, damit die Linie sauber wird.
Please hold the ruler straight so the line comes out neat.
In real life
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