vermiesen
to spoil
To spoil someone's enjoyment of something, good mood, or plan. A colloquial expression.
EXAMPLE
Lass dir von dem schlechten Wetter doch nicht den ganzen Ausflug vermiesen!
Don't let the bad weather spoil the whole trip for you!
vermiesen
to spoil
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Meanings
Usage tips
Word structure
The verb is made up of the prefix 'ver-' and the adjective 'mies' (bad, nasty). So it literally means to 'make something bad' or to spoil it.
EXAMPLE
Seine schlechte Laune hat allen den Abend vermiest.
His bad mood spoiled the evening for everyone.
Dative construction
This verb follows a fixed pattern: The person whose enjoyment is spoiled is always in the dative. The thing that is spoiled is in the accusative: Jemand vermiest jemandem (dative) etwas (accusative).
EXAMPLE
Der Regen hat uns (Dativ) den Ausflug (Akkusativ) vermiest.
The rain spoiled the trip (accusative) for us (dative).
Colloquial style
'Vermiesen' is a colloquial word. It is used less often in formal or written contexts.
EXAMPLE
Komm schon, vermies mir nicht die gute Laune!
Come on, don't spoil my good mood!
Typical collocations
Abstract things related to enjoyment and well-being are often 'vermiest' (spoiled). Typical phrases are: jemandem die Laune vermiesen (to spoil someone's mood), den Spaß vermiesen (to spoil the fun), den Appetit vermiesen (to spoil the appetite), or den Tag vermiesen (to spoil the day).
EXAMPLE
Die unerwartete Arbeit hat ihm das ganze Wochenende vermiest.
The unexpected work spoiled his whole weekend.
Compare with
vermiesen vs verderben
to spoil / ruin
„Verderben“ and „vermiesen“ can both express that something enjoyable or a plan is no longer good. „Vermiesen“ is colloquial and usually emphasizes the person whose enjoyment is taken away; „verderben“ can place more emphasis on the thing that has been spoiled or on the mood itself. In everyday language, either word is often possible.
vermiesen
Der plötzliche Streit vermieste uns die gute Stimmung bei der Feier.
The sudden argument spoiled our good mood at the party.
verderben
Der plötzliche Streit verdarb die gute Stimmung bei der Feier.
The sudden argument ruined the good mood at the party.
In real life
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