doom / disaster
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doom / disaster
An event or development that leads to great misfortune, destruction, or ruin. It is often perceived as fateful and unavoidable.
Der plötzliche Wintereinbruch wurde für die Expedition zum Verhängnis.
The sudden onset of winter became a disaster for the expedition.
to be someone's undoing
To be the cause of someone's or something's ruin, failure, or great misfortune.
Seine Gier wurde ihm schließlich zum Verhängnis.
His greed was ultimately his undoing.
The word is made up of the prefix 'ver-' and the stem of the verb 'hängen' (to hang). The prefix 'ver-' often points to a negative result. Figuratively speaking, a 'Verhängnis' (doom/disaster) is a fate that is 'verhängt' (imposed/decreed) over someone.
Die Entscheidung, ohne Ausrüstung weiterzugehen, war ein Verhängnis.
The decision to continue without equipment was a disaster.
'Verhängnis' (doom/disaster) is a strong, rather elevated and literary word. It describes a major, often fateful misfortune and is not used for small everyday mishaps.
Der Vulkanausbruch wurde für die gesamte Region zum Verhängnis.
The volcanic eruption became a disaster for the entire region.
The most common use is the fixed expression 'jemandem zum Verhängnis werden' (to be someone's undoing). The person or thing that suffers the misfortune is always in the dative.
Sein Leichtsinn wurde ihm zum Verhängnis.
His recklessness was his undoing.
fate
Schicksal and Verhängnis can both describe a development that is felt to be unavoidable. Verhängnis, however, is always associated with great misfortune, destruction, or ruin; Schicksal can also be neutral or fortunate. Verhängnis is therefore especially precise for a tragic outcome.
Der unbeachtete Fehler wurde für das kleine Unternehmen zum Verhängnis.
The overlooked mistake proved to be the downfall of the small company.
Ob diese Begegnung ihr Schicksal zum Guten oder zum Schlechten verändert, weiß niemand.
No one knows whether this encounter will change her fate for better or for worse.
