to distort
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to distort
To change an image, a face, or a shape in such a way that the proportions are no longer correct and it looks unnatural or funny.
Der Zerrspiegel im Vergnügungspark verzerrte unsere Körper auf lustige Weise.
The funhouse mirror at the amusement park distorted our bodies in a funny way.
The verb 'verzerren' (to distort) contains the base verb 'zerren' (to tug/pull hard). The inseparable prefix 'ver-' often indicates an incorrect or negative result. So 'verzerren' literally means to pull something out of shape.
Die Hitze hat die Plastikflasche komplett verzerrt.
The heat completely distorted the plastic bottle.
'Verzerren' (to distort) is an inseparable verb. The prefix 'ver-' remains attached to the verb in all sentence forms. The past participle is formed without 'ge-': 'verzerrt' (distorted).
Er hat die Fakten in seinem Bericht verzerrt.
He distorted the facts in his report.
The object of the verb makes the meaning clear. You can distort an image (visual), the truth (abstract), a sound (acoustic), or the face (facial expression).
Ein lauter Knall verzerrte plötzlich die Musik.
A loud bang suddenly distorted the music.
The expression 'das Gesicht verzerren' (to contort one's face) is very common. The reason is often given with the preposition 'vor' and the dative, for example 'das Gesicht vor Schmerz verzerren' (to contort one's face in pain) or 'vor Ekel' (in disgust).
Als er die bittere Medizin schmeckte, verzerrte er das Gesicht.
When he tasted the bitter medicine, he contorted his face.
The past participle 'verzerrt' (distorted) is very often used as an adjective to describe the state of something. For example, people speak of a 'verzerrtes Bild' (distorted image), a 'verzerrte Wahrnehmung' (distorted perception), or a 'verzerrte Stimme' (distorted voice).
Durch den Unfall hatte er eine verzerrte Wahrnehmung der Realität.
Because of the accident, he had a distorted perception of reality.
to rape / violate
'vergewaltigen' and 'verzerren' can both mean figuratively that something is no longer presented correctly or honestly. In this relation, it is not about the violent crime, but about a figurative meaning of 'vergewaltigen'. 'verzerren' is the normal word when facts, statements, or representations are presented falsely or one-sidedly. 'vergewaltigen' is much stronger and judgmental here: it says that an idea, a text, or a language is treated very roughly and almost destroyed. Learners may confuse the words because both can refer to a false representation. In everyday language, 'verzerren' is usually more neutral and more precise; 'vergewaltigen' sounds harsh and should only be used very deliberately.
Die kurze Meldung verzerrt die Fakten, weil sie wichtige Informationen weglässt.
The brief report distorts the facts because it leaves out important information.
Der Redner vergewaltigt die Idee des Autors, indem er sie völlig falsch erklärt.
The speaker violates the author's idea by explaining it completely incorrectly.