vertilgen
to eradicate
To completely eliminate or destroy something so that nothing of it remains.
EXAMPLE
Das Mittel soll die Schädlinge im Garten vollständig vertilgen.
The product is supposed to completely eradicate the pests in the garden.
vertilgen
to eradicate / devour
vertilgen – vertilgte – hat vertilgt
Checking...
Loading your saved state.
Meanings
vertilgen
to devour
To eat something, especially food, completely; this usage is usually informal.
EXAMPLE
Nach dem Training vertilgte er eine ganze Pizza.
After training, he devoured an entire pizza.
Forms
Forms adapted from the German Wiktionary entry vertilgen, by Wiktionary contributors, licence CC BY-SA 4.0.
Present
| ich | vertilge |
|---|---|
| du | vertilgst |
| er/sie/es | vertilgt |
| wir | vertilgen |
| ihr | vertilgt |
| sie | vertilgen |
Simple past
| ich | vertilgte |
|---|---|
| du | vertilgtest |
| er/sie/es | vertilgte |
| wir | vertilgten |
| ihr | vertilgtet |
| sie | vertilgten |
Perfect
with haben
| ich | habe vertilgt |
|---|---|
| du | hast vertilgt |
| er/sie/es | hat vertilgt |
| wir | haben vertilgt |
| ihr | habt vertilgt |
| sie | haben vertilgt |
Commands
| du | vertilge! vertilg! |
|---|---|
| ihr | vertilgt! |
| Sie | vertilgen Sie! |
Past perfect
| ich | hatte vertilgt |
|---|---|
| du | hattest vertilgt |
| er/sie/es | hatte vertilgt |
| wir | hatten vertilgt |
| ihr | hattet vertilgt |
| sie | hatten vertilgt |
Future
| ich | werde vertilgen |
|---|---|
| du | wirst vertilgen |
| er/sie/es | wird vertilgen |
| wir | werden vertilgen |
| ihr | werdet vertilgen |
| sie | werden vertilgen |
Subjunctive I
| ich | vertilge |
|---|---|
| du | vertilgest |
| er/sie/es | vertilge |
| wir | vertilgen |
| ihr | vertilget |
| sie | vertilgen |
Used for reported speech.
Subjunctive II
| ich | vertilgte |
|---|---|
| du | vertilgtest |
| er/sie/es | vertilgte |
| wir | vertilgten |
| ihr | vertilgtet |
| sie | vertilgten |
Used for wishes and “would”.
Other forms
| infinitive | vertilgen |
|---|---|
| with zu | zu vertilgen |
| present participle | vertilgend |
| past participle | vertilgt |
Usage tips
Inseparable verb
'Vertilgen' (to eradicate / devour) is an inseparable verb. In a main clause, the prefix 'ver-' remains attached to the verb; in a subordinate clause, the complete verb appears at the end.
EXAMPLE
Das neue Mittel vertilgt die Ameisen innerhalb weniger Stunden.
The new product eradicates the ants within a few hours.
Die Forscher prüfen, ob das Mittel die Larven vollständig vertilgt.
The researchers are checking whether the product completely eradicates the larvae.
Typical collocations
In the meaning 'vollständig beseitigen' (to completely eliminate), 'vertilgen' (to eradicate) is often used with pests, weeds, or vermin. The object usually refers to something that is supposed to disappear completely.
EXAMPLE
Viele Gärtner wollen das Unkraut ohne schädliche Chemikalien vertilgen.
Many gardeners want to eradicate the weeds without harmful chemicals.
Informal usage
When referring to eating, 'vertilgen' (to devour) is usually informal and often humorous. It emphasizes that someone eats a large amount completely and with obvious appetite.
EXAMPLE
Die Kinder vertilgten nach dem Ausflug den ganzen Kuchen.
After the outing, the children devoured the whole cake.
In real life
Loading video examples...