01
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
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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 treten
to step / kick
'verletzen' and 'treten' can both have to do with pain or hurt feelings, but they do not describe the same thing. 'treten' means a movement with the foot or a hit with the foot. Someone can be injured by this, but does not have to be. 'verletzen' describes the harm or pain itself, physical or emotional. In the expression 'jemandem zu nahe treten' (to offend someone), 'treten' also means to hurt someone with words. That is why the words can be confused: 'treten' is often the action, while 'verletzen' is the effect.
verletzen
Nach dem Streit merkt Lisa, dass ihre Worte ihren Bruder verletzt haben.
After the argument, Lisa realizes that her words hurt her brother.
treten
Beim Fußball hat Tom aus Versehen gegen Pauls Bein getreten.
While playing soccer, Tom accidentally kicked Paul's leg.
In real life
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