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.
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
'das Schicksal' and 'das Verhängnis' can both mean something that seems unavoidable and strongly influences life. However, 'Schicksal' is more general: it can include good, bad, or simply important life events. 'Verhängnis' is almost always very negative and means an event or cause that leads to great misfortune, failure, or downfall. They can be confused because both sound dramatic and fateful. If you are speaking neutrally or generally about the course of life, 'Schicksal' fits. If something leads to misfortune, 'Verhängnis' is more precise.
Der kleine Fehler wurde dem Team am Ende zum Verhängnis.
In the end, the small mistake was the team's undoing.
Niemand weiß, welches Schicksal uns in den nächsten Jahren erwartet.
No one knows what fate awaits us in the coming years.