to rape / violate
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to rape
To force someone into sexual acts through violence or threats.
Der Täter wurde wegen des Vorwurfs, eine Frau vergewaltigt zu haben, vor Gericht gestellt.
The perpetrator was put on trial over the accusation of having raped a woman.
The verb is derived from the noun 'die Gewalt' (violence). The prefix 'ver-' and the ending '-igen' turn it into a verb that describes an action involving force or violence.
Gewalt ist die Wurzel dieses schrecklichen Wortes.
Violence is the root of this terrible word.
'Vergewaltigen' (to rape / violate) is an inseparable verb. The prefix 'ver-' remains firmly attached to the verb stem in all sentence forms and tenses.
Er wurde beschuldigt, sie vergewaltigt zu haben.
He was accused of having raped her.
The object of the verb indicates the meaning. If the object is a person, the literal meaning is intended. If the object is something abstract like a language or an idea, the figurative meaning of misuse is intended.
Der Täter wurde für die Tat verurteilt.
The perpetrator was convicted for the act.
The figurative meaning is a very strong, emotional expression of rejection. It is not a neutral way to say that something was done badly or interpreted incorrectly.
Der Regisseur fand, die gekürzte Fassung vergewaltige sein Werk.
The director felt that the shortened version violated his work.
to pass / fade
'sich an jemandem vergehen' and 'vergewaltigen' can both refer to severe sexual violence against a person. 'vergewaltigen' is more specific: it means that someone is forced into sexual acts through violence or threats. 'sich an jemandem vergehen' is somewhat more general and can refer to various forms of sexual abuse or assault. Both words are very serious and are used mainly in news, reports, or legal contexts.
In dem Bericht steht, dass der Täter die Frau vergewaltigt hat.
The report says that the perpetrator raped the woman.
Der Mann soll sich an einer jungen Frau vergangen haben.
The man is alleged to have assaulted a young woman.