01
verstümmeln
to mutilate
To severely and permanently damage a body by severing, destroying, or disfiguring body parts.
example
Bei dem Unfall wurde seine Hand schrecklich verstümmelt.
His hand was terribly mutilated in the accident.
verstümmeln
to mutilate
Checking...
Loading your saved state.
Meanings
01 / 02
Usage tips
Inseparable verb
'Verstümmeln' (to mutilate) is an inseparable verb. The prefix 'ver-' remains firmly attached to the verb stem in all tenses and sentence constructions.
EXAMPLE
Die Zensur hat den kritischen Artikel völlig verstümmelt.
The censorship completely mutilated the critical article.
Word formation
The prefix 'ver-' often indicates a negative result or a mistake. The stem 'stümmeln' is related to 'Stummel' (stump). So 'verstümmeln' (to mutilate) means to damage something so badly that only an incomplete remnant remains.
EXAMPLE
Er hat den Namen des Autors so furchtbar ausgesprochen, dass er ihn regelrecht verstümmelt hat.
He pronounced the author's name so terribly that he practically mutilated it.
Context clue
You can recognize the meaning of the verb from the object. If it refers to a body or living being, the literal meaning is intended. If it refers to a work such as a text, song, or film, the figurative meaning is intended.
EXAMPLE
Die Maschine hat seine Hand verstümmelt.
The machine mutilated his hand.
Typical collocations
In the figurative sense, 'verstümmeln' (to mutilate) is often used for creative or intellectual works. Typical combinations are 'einen Text verstümmeln' (to mutilate a text), 'ein Kunstwerk verstümmeln' (to mutilate a work of art), or also 'einen Namen verstümmeln' (to mangle a name, through incorrect pronunciation).
EXAMPLE
Die gekürzte TV-Version hat den Film leider völlig verstümmelt.
Unfortunately, the shortened TV version completely mutilated the film.
Compare with
verstümmeln vs verletzen
to injure / hurt / violate
'verletzen' and 'verstümmeln' can both describe physical harm. 'verletzen' is the general word for wounds or damage to the body, whether mild or severe. 'verstümmeln' is much stronger and means causing severe, permanent damage to the body, often when body parts are destroyed, severed, or disfigured. The words can be confused because both have to do with physical harm. For normal accidents or smaller wounds, you say 'verletzen'. 'verstümmeln' is only appropriate for very serious and permanent damage.
verstümmeln
Die Explosion verstümmelte mehrere Menschen schwer.
The explosion severely mutilated several people.
verletzen
Bei der Arbeit hat sich Tom an der Hand verletzt.
Tom injured his hand at work.
In real life
Loading video examples...