verrotten
to rot
To gradually break down through decay or other natural decomposition processes.
EXAMPLE
Die feuchten Bretter sind im Laufe der Jahre völlig verrottet.
The damp boards have completely rotted over the years.
verrotten
to rot
verrotten – verrottete – ist verrottet
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Meanings
verrotten
to rot
To increasingly deteriorate and become unusable due to prolonged neglect.
EXAMPLE
Seit der Stilllegung verrotten die Fabrikanlagen ungenutzt.
The factory facilities have been rotting away unused since they were shut down.
verrotten
to rot
To increasingly decline in an intellectual or moral sense. This figurative use expresses strong negative judgment.
EXAMPLE
Nach Ansicht des Schriftstellers verrottet eine Gesellschaft, in der nur noch Geld und Macht zählen.
In the writer's view, a society in which only money and power matter is rotting.
Forms
Forms adapted from the German Wiktionary entry verrotten, by Wiktionary contributors, licence CC BY-SA 4.0.
Present
| ich | verrotte |
|---|---|
| du | verrottest |
| er/sie/es | verrottet |
| wir | verrotten |
| ihr | verrottet |
| sie | verrotten |
Simple past
| ich | verrottete |
|---|---|
| du | verrottetest |
| er/sie/es | verrottete |
| wir | verrotteten |
| ihr | verrottetet |
| sie | verrotteten |
Perfect
with sein
| ich | bin verrottet |
|---|---|
| du | bist verrottet |
| er/sie/es | ist verrottet |
| wir | sind verrottet |
| ihr | seid verrottet |
| sie | sind verrottet |
Commands
| du | verrott! verrotte! |
|---|---|
| ihr | verrottet! |
| Sie | verrotten Sie! |
Past perfect
| ich | war verrottet |
|---|---|
| du | warst verrottet |
| er/sie/es | war verrottet |
| wir | waren verrottet |
| ihr | wart verrottet |
| sie | waren verrottet |
Future
| ich | werde verrotten |
|---|---|
| du | wirst verrotten |
| er/sie/es | wird verrotten |
| wir | werden verrotten |
| ihr | werdet verrotten |
| sie | werden verrotten |
Subjunctive I
| ich | verrotte |
|---|---|
| du | verrottest |
| er/sie/es | verrotte |
| wir | verrotten |
| ihr | verrottet |
| sie | verrotten |
Used for reported speech.
Subjunctive II
| ich | verrottete |
|---|---|
| du | verrottetest |
| er/sie/es | verrottete |
| wir | verrotteten |
| ihr | verrottetet |
| sie | verrotteten |
Used for wishes and “would”.
Other forms
| infinitive | verrotten |
|---|---|
| with zu | zu verrotten |
| present participle | verrottend |
| past participle | verrottet |
Usage tips
Inseparable verb
'Verrotten' (to rot) begins with the inseparable prefix 'ver-'. The prefix is not separated from the verb in main clauses, subordinate clauses, or the infinitive.
EXAMPLE
Das Holz verrottet schnell, wenn es ständig feucht bleibt.
The wood rots quickly if it remains constantly damp.
'Sein' as the auxiliary verb
'Verrotten' (to rot) is normally used without an accusative object: the material itself is the subject. That is why 'sein' (to be) is usually used as the auxiliary verb in the perfect tense.
EXAMPLE
Die alten Äpfel sind im Keller vollständig verrottet.
The old apples have completely rotted in the cellar.
Typical collocations
In the meaning of natural decay, 'verrotten' (to rot) is often used with organic materials or damp wood. Typical collocations include 'Laub verrottet' (leaves rot), 'Holz verrottet' (wood rots), and 'im Boden verrotten' (to rot in the soil).
EXAMPLE
Das Laub verrottet über den Winter und bildet Humus.
The leaves rot over the winter and form humus.
Neglected things
When used with facilities, buildings, or objects, 'verrotten' (to rot) often points to prolonged vacancy or a lack of maintenance. This state is frequently described with 'ungenutzt' (unused) or 'vor sich hin' (away, with no one doing anything about it).
EXAMPLE
Das alte Bahnhofsgebäude verrottet seit Jahren vor sich hin.
The old train station building has been rotting away for years.
Strong judgment
The figurative use often refers to societies, political systems, or institutions. It is clearly judgmental and often appears in critical or polemical statements.
EXAMPLE
Der Redner behauptete, das politische System verrotte von innen.
The speaker claimed that the political system was rotting from within.
In real life
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