to curse
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to curse
To wish something bad on someone or something out of anger or hatred. It can also mean to complain extremely about something or regret it.
Ich verfluchte den Wecker, als er um fünf Uhr morgens klingelte.
I cursed the alarm clock when it rang at five in the morning.
to curse oneself
To strongly blame oneself for a mistake or an unwise decision.
Er verfluchte sich dafür, nicht auf den Rat seiner Freunde gehört zu haben.
He cursed himself for not having listened to his friends' advice.
'Verfluchen' (to curse) is an inseparable verb made up of the prefix 'ver-' and the verb 'fluchen' (to swear/curse). The prefix 'ver-' makes the verb transitive, so that the curse is directed at a specific object.
Er verfluchte sein altes Auto, weil es nicht ansprang.
He cursed his old car because it wouldn't start.
Most of the time, 'verfluchen' (to curse) is not used literally, in a magical sense, but figuratively for strong anger or regret. Typical phrases are 'den Tag verfluchen' (to curse the day) or 'sein Schicksal verfluchen' (to curse one's fate).
Ich verfluche den Tag, an dem ich diesen Vertrag unterschrieben habe.
I curse the day I signed that contract.
When you are angry at yourself for your own stupidity, you use the reflexive form 'sich verfluchen' (to curse oneself). It is often followed by a reason with 'dafür, dass ...' (for the fact that ...) or '... zu haben' (having ...).
Ich verfluche mich dafür, dass ich meinen Regenschirm vergessen habe.
I curse myself for forgetting my umbrella.
to curse / swear
Verfluchen takes the person or thing that someone wishes harm on directly as its object. Fluchen can also be used with auf to express the same kind of curse, but this combination is less common. In general usage today, verfluchen is therefore usually more appropriate.
Aus großer Wut verfluchte er den Betrüger.
In great anger, he cursed the swindler.
Aus großer Wut fluchte er auf den Betrüger.
In great anger, he cursed the swindler.
