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.
'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 insult
'beschimpfen' and 'verfluchen' can both express strong anger. 'beschimpfen' means attacking someone with insulting words. The focus is on the words directed at a person. 'verfluchen' is stronger and more dramatic: you wish something bad on someone or something, or say very angrily that you hate or regret something. You can also curse a day, a decision, or a problem. The words can be confused because both are negative and angry. For direct insults, you would more likely say 'beschimpfen'; for a curse or very strong anger about something, 'verfluchen' is more appropriate.
Nach der Panne verfluchte sie den alten Wagen und rief den Abschleppdienst.
After the breakdown, she cursed the old car and called the towing service.
Mehmet bleibt ruhig, obwohl ihn der Nachbar am Abend laut beschimpft.
Mehmet stays calm, even though the neighbor loudly insults him in the evening.