01
verloren
lost
No longer findable; gone missing.
example
Ich glaube, mein Regenschirm ist im Zug verloren gegangen.
I think my umbrella got lost on the train.
verloren
lost
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Meanings
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Usage tips
Participle as adjective
'Verloren' (lost) is the past participle of the verb 'verlieren' (to lose). It is used as an adjective to describe the state that results after losing something.
EXAMPLE
Der verlorene Schlüssel wurde nie wieder gefunden.
The lost key was never found again.
Use with 'gehen'
To express that something goes missing, the fixed combination 'verloren gehen' (to get lost) is used very frequently. This describes the process of disappearing.
EXAMPLE
Pass auf deine Tasche auf, damit sie im Gedränge nicht verloren geht.
Watch your bag so it doesn't get lost in the crowd.
Describing feelings
To express the feeling of helplessness, 'verloren' (lost) is usually combined with verbs like 'sich fühlen' (to feel) or 'sein' (to be). It then describes an inner state.
EXAMPLE
Nach dem Umzug in die neue Stadt fühlte er sich anfangs sehr verloren.
After moving to the new city, he felt very lost at first.
Fixed expressions
In the meaning of 'aussichtslos' (hopeless), 'verloren' (lost) is often part of fixed idioms. Examples include 'auf verlorenem Posten kämpfen' (to fight a losing battle) or 'Das ist verlorene Liebesmüh' (That's wasted effort).
EXAMPLE
Ohne Verstärkung kämpfte die kleine Einheit auf verlorenem Posten.
Without reinforcements, the small unit was fighting a losing battle.
Compare with
verloren vs hin
there / toward
'hin' and 'verloren' can overlap when something is gone or can no longer be saved. 'verloren' describes more directly that you can no longer find something or no longer have it. 'hin' is more colloquial and can also mean that something is broken or over. That is why 'verloren' is more precise when talking about keys, money, or documents. 'hin' fits better in casual sentences like 'Das Geld ist hin' (The money is gone), when you mean: it is gone or used up.
verloren
Auf dem Weg zur Arbeit hat Lisa ihren Schlüssel verloren.
On the way to work, Lisa lost her key.
hin
Nach der teuren Reparatur ist mein ganzes Erspartes hin.
After the expensive repair, all my savings are gone.
In real life
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