01
verstoßen gegen
to violate
To disregard or break a rule, law, norm, or principle.
example
Wer bei Rot über die Ampel fährt, verstößt gegen die Straßenverkehrsordnung.
Anyone who drives through a red light violates traffic regulations.
verstoßen
to violate / to cast out
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Meanings
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Usage tips
Inseparable verb
'Verstoßen' (to violate / to cast out) is an inseparable verb. The prefix 'ver-' remains firmly attached to the verb stem 'stoßen' in all tenses and sentence constructions. The prefix 'ver-' here suggests a wrong or negative action.
EXAMPLE
Er hat gegen das Versprechen verstoßen.
He violated the promise.
Context clue
The two meanings can easily be distinguished by the grammar. When a rule is broken, 'gegen' + accusative is always used. When a person is excluded, that person appears as the direct accusative object in the sentence.
EXAMPLE
Der Sportler verstieß gegen die Dopingregeln.
The athlete violated the doping rules.
Fixed preposition
In the meaning 'eine Regel brechen' (to break a rule), 'verstoßen' (to violate) is always used with the preposition 'gegen' and the accusative. You cannot *verstoßen something*, only *gegen etwas verstoßen* (violate something).
EXAMPLE
Dieses Verhalten verstößt gegen unsere Prinzipien.
This behavior violates our principles.
Sentence structure
When a person is 'verstoßen' (cast out), that person is the accusative object. Often 'aus' + dative is added to indicate from which group the person is excluded.
EXAMPLE
Die Familie hat ihren Sohn verstoßen.
The family cast out their son.
Compare with
verstoßen vs verletzen
to injure / hurt / violate
'verletzen' and 'verstoßen' can both mean that someone does not comply with a rule, law, or duty. 'verstoßen' is very typically used with 'gegen': 'gegen eine Regel verstoßen' (to violate a rule) or 'gegen ein Gesetz verstoßen' (to violate a law). 'verletzen' often takes the object directly: 'ein Recht verletzen' (to violate a right), 'eine Pflicht verletzen' (to violate a duty), or 'eine Vorschrift verletzen' (to violate a regulation). Learners easily confuse the words because the meaning is similar. The grammar is important: 'gegen etwas verstoßen', but 'etwas verletzen'.
verstoßen
Er verstößt gegen die Sicherheitsregeln, weil er keinen Helm trägt.
He is violating the safety rules because he is not wearing a helmet.
verletzen
Du verletzt die Hausordnung, wenn du nachts laute Musik machst.
You are violating the house rules if you play loud music at night.
In real life
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