to cut up
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to cut up
To cut something completely through or into several pieces with a sharp object (such as a knife or scissors). It often emphasizes the thoroughness or even destructiveness of the cut.
Sie hat das Foto ihres Ex-Freundes wütend zerschnitten.
She angrily cut up the photo of her ex-boyfriend.
'Zerschneiden' (to cut up) is a stronger form of 'schneiden' (to cut). The prefix 'zer-' emphasizes that something is not just cut, but divided into pieces or destroyed.
Für das Kunstprojekt haben die Kinder buntes Papier zerschnitten.
For the art project, the children cut up colorful paper.
The prefix 'zer-' is inseparable. It remains firmly attached to the verb in all sentence forms. The past participle is formed without 'ge-': 'zerschnitten' (cut up).
Er hat den alten Vertrag zerschnitten und weggeworfen.
He cut up the old contract and threw it away.
Typical objects that one 'zerschneidet' (cuts up) are flat things such as paper, fabric, photos, or ribbons. There is often a destructive or final intention implied.
Zur Eröffnung des neuen Geschäfts wurde ein rotes Band zerschnitten.
A red ribbon was cut at the opening of the new store.
to cut
Both verbs refer to dividing paper, fabric, or food with a cutting tool. schneiden remains neutral and initially only says that a cut is being made, while zerschneiden emphasizes dividing something completely or thoroughly into several pieces. Use zerschneiden when the original whole is not meant to remain intact afterward.
Ich zerschneide das Papier in kleine Stücke für die Collage.
I cut the paper into small pieces for the collage.
Ich schneide das Papier vorsichtig an der markierten Linie.
I carefully cut the paper along the marked line.
