vergammeln
to rot
To go bad or become spoiled and therefore inedible, especially when referring to food.
EXAMPLE
Das Obst ist in der warmen Küche schnell vergammelt.
The fruit quickly rotted in the warm kitchen.
vergammeln
to rot / to laze around
vergammeln – vergammelte – hat vergammelt
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Meanings
vergammeln
to decay
To gradually become damaged or run-down due to weather, age, or a lack of care.
EXAMPLE
Die alten Bretter vergammeln seit Jahren im feuchten Keller.
The old boards have been rotting away in the damp cellar for years.
vergammeln
to laze around
Colloquially, to spend one's time without doing anything meaningful or to drift through life without purpose.
EXAMPLE
Am Wochenende vergammeln wir den ganzen Tag auf dem Sofa.
At the weekend, we laze around on the sofa all day.
Forms
Forms adapted from the German Wiktionary entry vergammeln, by Wiktionary contributors, licence CC BY-SA 4.0.
Present
| ich | vergammle vergammele |
|---|---|
| du | vergammelst |
| er/sie/es | vergammelt |
| wir | vergammeln |
| ihr | vergammelt |
| sie | vergammeln |
Simple past
| ich | vergammelte |
|---|---|
| du | vergammeltest |
| er/sie/es | vergammelte |
| wir | vergammelten |
| ihr | vergammeltet |
| sie | vergammelten |
Perfect
with haben or sein
| ich | habe vergammelt |
|---|---|
| du | hast vergammelt |
| er/sie/es | hat vergammelt ist vergammelt |
| wir | haben vergammelt |
| ihr | habt vergammelt |
| sie | haben vergammelt sind vergammelt |
Commands
| du | vergammle! vergammel!, vergammele! |
|---|---|
| ihr | vergammelt! |
| Sie | vergammeln Sie! |
Past perfect
| ich | hatte vergammelt |
|---|---|
| du | hattest vergammelt |
| er/sie/es | hatte vergammelt war vergammelt |
| wir | hatten vergammelt |
| ihr | hattet vergammelt |
| sie | hatten vergammelt waren vergammelt |
Future
| ich | werde vergammeln |
|---|---|
| du | wirst vergammeln |
| er/sie/es | wird vergammeln |
| wir | werden vergammeln |
| ihr | werdet vergammeln |
| sie | werden vergammeln |
Subjunctive I
| ich | vergammele vergammle |
|---|---|
| du | vergammelst vergammlest |
| er/sie/es | vergammele vergammle |
| wir | vergammeln |
| ihr | vergammelt vergammlet |
| sie | vergammeln |
Used for reported speech.
Subjunctive II
| ich | vergammelte |
|---|---|
| du | vergammeltest |
| er/sie/es | vergammelte |
| wir | vergammelten |
| ihr | vergammeltet |
| sie | vergammelten |
Used for wishes and “would”.
Other forms
| infinitive | vergammeln |
|---|---|
| with zu | zu vergammeln |
| present participle | vergammelnd |
| past participle | vergammelt |
Usage tips
Inseparable verb
'Vergammeln' (to rot) begins with the prefix 'ver-' and is inseparable. The prefix therefore remains attached to the verb in main clauses as well.
EXAMPLE
Das Holz vergammelt, weil es ständig nass ist.
The wood is rotting because it is constantly wet.
Typical collocations
When referring to food, 'vergammeln' (to rot) is often used with fruit, vegetables, meat, or food. Time expressions such as 'schnell' (quickly) or 'über Nacht' (overnight) often indicate that spoilage is meant.
EXAMPLE
Die Erdbeeren sind über Nacht vergammelt.
The strawberries rotted overnight.
Colloquial style
This meaning is colloquial and is often used with phrases such as 'auf dem Sofa' (on the sofa), 'zu Hause' (at home), or 'den ganzen Tag' (all day). It usually describes deliberately doing nothing or behavior that is being criticized.
EXAMPLE
An Regentagen vergammelt er gern den ganzen Nachmittag zu Hause.
On rainy days, he likes to laze around at home all afternoon.
In real life
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