verpuffen
to dissipate
To suddenly dissolve or escape without lasting effect, especially in the case of gas, steam, or energy.
EXAMPLE
Ein Teil der Wärme verpufft durch das offene Fenster.
Some of the heat dissipates through the open window.
verpuffen
to dissipate / fizzle out
verpuffen – verpuffte – ist verpufft
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Meanings
verpuffen
to fizzle out
To have no effect and produce no result, despite resources being invested in it.
EXAMPLE
Die teure Werbekampagne verpuffte ohne sichtbaren Erfolg.
The expensive advertising campaign fizzled out without any visible success.
verpuffen
to go off with a dull bang
To burn or explode with a dull bang without causing a powerful explosion.
EXAMPLE
Das Gas entzündete sich und verpuffte mit einem dumpfen Knall.
The gas ignited and went off with a dull bang.
Forms
Forms adapted from the German Wiktionary entry verpuffen, by Wiktionary contributors, licence CC BY-SA 4.0.
Present
| er/sie/es | verpufft |
|---|---|
| sie | verpuffen |
Simple past
| er/sie/es | verpuffte |
|---|---|
| sie | verpufften |
Perfect
with sein
| er/sie/es | ist verpufft |
|---|---|
| sie | sind verpufft |
Past perfect
| er/sie/es | war verpufft |
|---|---|
| sie | waren verpufft |
Future
| er/sie/es | wird verpuffen |
|---|---|
| sie | werden verpuffen |
Subjunctive I
| er/sie/es | verpuffe |
|---|---|
| sie | verpuffen |
Used for reported speech.
Subjunctive II
| er/sie/es | verpuffte |
|---|---|
| sie | verpufften |
Used for wishes and “would”.
Other forms
| infinitive | verpuffen |
|---|---|
| with zu | zu verpuffen |
| present participle | verpuffend |
| past participle | verpufft |
Usage tips
Inseparable verb
'Verpuffen' (to dissipate / fizzle out) has the inseparable prefix 'ver-'. Therefore, the verb stays together in a main clause; the prefix is not separated in a subordinate clause either.
EXAMPLE
Die Energie verpufft ungenutzt.
The energy dissipates unused.
Weil der Druck zu niedrig ist, verpufft das Gas sofort.
Because the pressure is too low, the gas dissipates immediately.
Typical collocations
In the meaning of escaping, 'verpuffen' (to dissipate) is often used with heat, energy, steam, or gas. The sentence often also describes what causes something to be lost or where it escapes to.
EXAMPLE
Durch die schlecht isolierten Wände verpufft viel Wärme.
A lot of heat dissipates through the poorly insulated walls.
Beim Öffnen des Deckels verpufft der Dampf sofort.
When the lid is opened, the steam dissipates immediately.
Figurative use
In figurative use, 'verpuffen' (to fizzle out) often refers to hopes, efforts, investments, or an effect. The context then shows that something was invested but left no result behind.
EXAMPLE
Seine Bemühungen verpufften ohne jede Reaktion.
His efforts fizzled out without any response at all.
Die Wirkung der neuen Regel verpuffte nach wenigen Wochen.
The effect of the new rule fizzled out after a few weeks.
Context clues
The meaning involving a bang can often be recognized from words related to fire and explosions, such as 'sich entzünden' (to ignite), 'Knall' (bang), or 'Feuer' (fire). It refers to a brief, limited event.
EXAMPLE
Der Feuerwerkskörper entzündete sich, verpuffte aber nur kurz und fiel zu Boden.
The firework ignited, but only fizzled briefly before falling to the ground.
In real life
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