01
der Verlust
loss
The state of no longer having something or someone that belonged to you or was important to you.
example
Der Verlust meines Portemonnaies war sehr ärgerlich.
The loss of my wallet was very annoying.
der Verlust
loss
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Meanings
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Usage tips
Word family
'Der Verlust' (the loss) is the noun related to the verb 'verlieren' (to lose). When you lose something, you experience a loss.
EXAMPLE
Ich habe meinen Schirm verloren, der Verlust ärgert mich.
I lost my umbrella; the loss annoys me.
Genitive or 'von'
To say what was lost, you can use the genitive or the preposition 'von' (of/from) with the dative. The genitive is more formal.
EXAMPLE
Der Verlust des Arbeitsplatzes war ein Schock.
The loss of the job was a shock.
Context: finances
In an economic context, people speak of 'Verlust' (loss) when more money is spent than taken in. A very common expression is 'Verlust machen' (to make a loss).
EXAMPLE
Die Firma hat letztes Jahr leider Verlust gemacht.
Unfortunately, the company made a loss last year.
Context: grief
When 'Verlust' (loss) refers to the death of a person, it is often used in a formal or solemn context. It is frequently combined with adjectives such as 'schmerzlich' (painful), 'tragisch' (tragic), or 'groß' (great).
EXAMPLE
Die Familie trauert um den plötzlichen Verlust ihrer Großmutter.
The family is mourning the sudden loss of their grandmother.
Compare with
Verlust vs Opfer
victim / sacrifice
'das Opfer' and 'der Verlust' can both be connected with terrible events, for example an accident, a crime, or death. 'das Opfer' means a person who suffers harm, is injured, or dies. 'der Verlust' more often means the state of someone or something no longer being there. With people, 'Verlust' often suggests grief and the perspective of the relatives. Learners may confuse the words because people talk about victims and losses after disasters. The important point is: an Opfer is a person affected by something; a Verlust is what you no longer have, or the death itself.
Verlust
Der Verlust ihres alten Hundes macht die Familie noch immer traurig.
The loss of their old dog still makes the family sad.
Opfer
Nach dem Unfall half die Ärztin dem Opfer sofort.
After the accident, the doctor helped the victim immediately.
In real life
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