01
verkacken
to screw up
(Colloquial, vulgar) To do something completely wrong, to ruin a task or situation; to make a big mistake.
example
Ich habe die Prüfung total verkackt.
I totally screwed up the exam.
verkacken
to screw up
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Meanings
Usage tips
Register: colloquial language
This word is very colloquial and is felt to be crude or vulgar. Use it only in informal situations with friends and avoid it in written language or formal conversations.
EXAMPLE
Mist, ich glaube, ich habe es total verkackt.
Damn, I think I totally screwed it up.
Word structure
The verb consists of the prefix 'ver-' and the vulgar verb 'kacken' (to shit). The prefix 'ver-' expresses here that something is done wrong or ruined, which reinforces the negative meaning.
EXAMPLE
Er hat die letzte Frage verkackt und deshalb die Prüfung nicht bestanden.
He screwed up the last question and therefore did not pass the exam.
Sentence structure and usage
'Verkacken' (to screw up) is mostly used transitively with an accusative object that describes what was ruined. The fixed phrase 'es verkacken' (to screw it up) is also very common.
EXAMPLE
Ich habe die Präsentation komplett verkackt.
I completely screwed up the presentation.
Compare with
verkacken vs gelingen
to succeed
'gelingen' and 'verkacken' are strong opposites. 'gelingen' means that something turns out well or is successful. 'verkacken' means that someone does something completely wrong or ruins a situation. Style is also important: 'gelingen' is neutral, while 'verkacken' is vulgar and colloquial. You should use 'verkacken' only in very casual conversations, not in formal situations.
verkacken
Wenn du ohne Vorbereitung ins Gespräch gehst, verkackst du vielleicht die Chance.
If you go into the conversation without preparation, you might screw up the opportunity.
gelingen
In der Schule gelingt Lisa die Präsentation besser als erwartet.
At school, Lisa's presentation goes better than expected.
In real life
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