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
verschütten
to bury
To bury someone or something under a large amount of material such as earth, rubble, or snow, usually as the result of an accident such as a landslide or collapse.
EXAMPLE
Nach dem Lawinenabgang wurden mehrere Skifahrer verschüttet.
After the avalanche, several skiers were buried.
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 earth, rubble, or snow completely covers someone. Begraben more often suggests an intentional burial or a figurative use. Verschütten, by contrast, emphasizes an accidental event in which someone becomes trapped and may need help.
verschütten
Der Erdrutsch verschüttete den Wanderer unter einer großen Menge Erde.
The landslide buried the hiker under a large amount of earth.
begraben
Die Helfer begruben den Verstorbenen nach der Trauerfeier unter der Erde.
The helpers buried the deceased in the ground after the funeral service.
In real life
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