01
verschütten
to spill
To accidentally let a liquid or a pourable substance such as sugar flow or fall out of a container.
example
Ich habe aus Versehen den Kaffee auf dem Teppich verschüttet.
I accidentally spilled the coffee on the carpet.
verschütten
to spill / bury
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Meanings
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Usage tips
Word structure
The verb consists of the prefix 'ver-' and the verb 'schütten' (to pour). Here, the prefix 'ver-' expresses that something is done incorrectly or has a negative result—so you pour something accidentally.
EXAMPLE
Sei vorsichtig, dass du die Suppe nicht verschüttest.
Be careful not to spill the soup.
Inseparable verb
'Verschütten' (to spill / bury) is an inseparable verb. The prefix 'ver-' stays firmly attached to the stem in all conjugated forms and sentence types.
EXAMPLE
Er hat den ganzen Saft auf dem neuen Teppich verschüttet.
He spilled all the juice on the new carpet.
Context clue
The meaning depends heavily on the context. If it is about liquids or powders in everyday life, it means 'spill'. If it is about large amounts of earth, snow, or rubble in a disaster, it means 'bury'.
EXAMPLE
Oh nein, ich habe den Zucker verschüttet!
Oh no, I spilled the sugar!
Use in the passive
In the meaning 'begraben' (to bury), the verb is almost always used in the passive to describe the fate of the victims. The subject is then the person who was buried.
EXAMPLE
Die Bergretter suchen nach den verschütteten Wanderern.
The mountain rescuers are searching for the buried hikers.
Compare with
verschütten vs begraben
to bury
'begraben' and 'verschütten' can both mean that someone or something is under earth, snow, rubble, or similar material. 'begraben' is more general and can also happen intentionally or in different situations. 'verschütten' is especially suitable for accidents, for example a landslide, an avalanche, or a collapse. In that case, someone or something is suddenly trapped under material. Learners may confuse the words because the result is similar. The important difference is: 'verschütten' sounds like an accident and danger, while 'begraben' describes more generally being covered or covering something.
verschütten
Nach dem Erdrutsch wurden mehrere Autos von Geröll verschüttet.
After the landslide, several cars were buried by debris.
begraben
Der Sturm hat die Straße unter Sand begraben.
The storm buried the road under sand.
In real life
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