01
verfilmen
to film / adapt
To use a book, play, or real event as the basis for a film and produce it.
example
Der Regisseur plant, den berühmten Roman als nächstes zu verfilmen.
The director plans to adapt the famous novel for film next.
verfilmen
to film / adapt
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Meanings
Usage tips
Word structure
The verb is made up of the prefix 'ver-' and the noun 'Film' (film). Here, the prefix 'ver-' expresses a transformation: something is made into a film.
EXAMPLE
Es ist oft eine Herausforderung, ein komplexes Buch zu verfilmen.
It is often a challenge to adapt a complex book for film.
Inseparable verb
'Verfilmen' (to film / adapt) is an inseparable verb because it begins with 'ver-'. The prefix remains firmly attached to the verb stem in all sentence forms and tenses.
EXAMPLE
Man verfilmte die Geschichte ihres Lebens.
They filmed the story of her life.
Common passive form
This verb is very often used in the passive in order to put the source material (the book, the story) in focus. The person making the film is then often unimportant.
EXAMPLE
Dieser Bestseller wurde bereits mehrfach erfolgreich verfilmt.
This bestseller has already been successfully adapted for film several times.
Compare with
verfilmen vs drehen
to turn / film
'drehen' and 'verfilmen' can both have to do with producing a film. 'Drehen' describes filming a movie or a scene with a camera, actors, and a crew. 'Verfilmen', on the other hand, means that a book, play, or real event is used as the basis for a film. So you can 'einen Film drehen' (shoot a film) without 'verfilmen' (adapting) anything. And when a novel 'verfilmt wird', it is turned into a film. The words are easy to confuse because both occur in film contexts, but 'drehen' means recording or shooting, while 'verfilmen' means adapting source material.
verfilmen
Der bekannte Roman wird nächstes Jahr verfilmt.
The well-known novel will be adapted for film next year.
drehen
Das Team dreht die letzte Szene am Abend im Park.
The team is filming the final scene in the park in the evening.
In real life
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