sich verletzen
to injure oneself
To cause oneself or another person a physical wound or harm.
EXAMPLE
Der Fußballspieler hat sich im Spiel am Bein verletzt.
The soccer player injured his leg during the game.
verletzen
to injure / hurt / violate
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Meanings
verletzen
to hurt
To emotionally hurt or offend someone through words or actions.
EXAMPLE
Seine gleichgültige Reaktion hat ihre Gefühle tief verletzt.
His indifferent reaction deeply hurt her feelings.
verletzen
to violate
To violate a law, rule, duty, or right.
EXAMPLE
Durch das Parken im Halteverbot haben Sie die Straßenverkehrsordnung verletzt.
By parking in the no-stopping zone, you violated the traffic regulations.
Usage tips
Inseparable verb
'Verletzen' (to injure / hurt / violate) is an inseparable verb. The prefix 'ver-' remains firmly attached to the verb in all tenses and sentence constructions.
EXAMPLE
Er hat sich gestern beim Sport verletzt.
He injured himself yesterday while playing sports.
Context clue
The object of the verb shows you the meaning. If it refers to a body or body part, it is about a physical wound. If it refers to feelings, it is about emotional hurt. If the object is a law or rule, it is about a violation.
EXAMPLE
Der Radfahrer hat einen Fußgänger verletzt.
The cyclist injured a pedestrian.
Reflexive use
When someone causes themselves a wound, the verb is used reflexively: 'sich verletzen' (to injure oneself). The reflexive pronoun must be adapted to the person.
EXAMPLE
Pass auf mit dem Messer, damit du dich nicht verletzt!
Be careful with the knife so you don't injure yourself!
Specifying the body part
To say which body part is injured, you use the preposition 'an' followed by the dative. The structure is: sich an + [body part in the dative] verletzen.
EXAMPLE
Ich habe mich an der Hand verletzt.
I injured my hand.
Typical collocations
In the meaning of 'gegen etwas verstoßen' (to violate something), 'verletzen' (to violate) is often combined with abstract nouns. Typical objects are: 'das Gesetz' (the law), 'die Regeln' (the rules), 'eine Pflicht' (a duty), 'Rechte' (rights), or 'Gefühle' (feelings).
EXAMPLE
Mit dieser Aktion haben Sie Ihre Pflichten als Mitarbeiter verletzt.
With this action, you violated your duties as an employee.
Compare with
verletzen vs beleidigen
to insult
Verletzen and beleidigen can both express causing offense through words or behavior. Beleidigen emphasizes an intentional, disrespectful attack on a person's honor. Verletzen focuses more on the emotional effect, which can arise even without clear intent.
verletzen
Mit seiner unbedachten Bemerkung verletzte Paul seine Kollegin.
Paul hurt his colleague with his thoughtless remark.
beleidigen
Mit seiner absichtlich respektlosen Bemerkung beleidigte Paul seine Kollegin.
Paul insulted his colleague with his deliberately disrespectful remark.
In real life
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