die Verwesung
decomposition
The natural decomposition of a dead body through decay and other biological processes.
EXAMPLE
Der Körper wurde nach mehreren Wochen der Verwesung entdeckt.
The body was discovered after several weeks of decomposition.
die Verwesung
decomposition
die Verwesung, die Verwesungen
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Meanings
Forms
Forms adapted from the German Wiktionary entry Verwesung, by Wiktionary contributors, licence CC BY-SA 4.0.
At a glance
| gender | feminine die |
|---|---|
| plural | die Verwesungen |
| genitive | der Verwesung |
The four cases
| singular | plural | |
|---|---|---|
| nominative | die Verwesung | die Verwesungen |
| accusative | die Verwesung | die Verwesungen |
| dative | der Verwesung | den Verwesungen |
| genitive | der Verwesung | der Verwesungen |
The article changes with the case; it is shown in colour.
Usage tips
Word family
'Verwesung' (decomposition) is derived from the verb 'verwesen' (to decompose). The ending '-ung' turns the process into a noun, so you can describe, for example, when it begins or how it progresses.
EXAMPLE
Der Beginn der Verwesung hängt unter anderem von der Temperatur ab.
The onset of decomposition depends, among other things, on the temperature.
Typical collocations
Common collocations include 'die Verwesung setzt ein' (decomposition begins), 'die Verwesung schreitet fort' (decomposition progresses), and 'die Verwesung beschleunigen' (to accelerate decomposition). These describe the beginning, progression, or speed of the process.
EXAMPLE
Hohe Temperaturen beschleunigen die Verwesung.
High temperatures accelerate decomposition.
Formal usage
'Verwesung' (decomposition) is often used in factual descriptions, especially in biology, forensic medicine, and reports about bodies that have been found. In such texts, 'fortgeschrittene Verwesung' (advanced decomposition) is a typical collocation.
EXAMPLE
Wegen der fortgeschrittenen Verwesung konnte die Rechtsmedizinerin den Todeszeitpunkt nicht genau bestimmen.
Because of the advanced decomposition, the forensic pathologist could not determine the time of death precisely.
In real life
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