01
zertrümmern
to smash
To break something into many small pieces with great force; to destroy it completely.
example
Der Hagelsturm hat das Glasdach des Wintergartens zertrümmert.
The hailstorm smashed the glass roof of the conservatory.
zertrümmern
to smash / shatter
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Meanings
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Usage tips
Inseparable verb
The prefix 'zer-' always means that something breaks or falls apart into pieces. Verbs with this prefix are always inseparable, meaning 'zer-' stays attached to the verb in all sentence forms.
EXAMPLE
Er war so wütend, dass er sein altes Handy zertrümmerte.
He was so angry that he smashed his old phone.
Typical collocations
In its literal meaning, 'zertrümmern' (to smash) is often used with hard, breakable objects. Typical objects are glass, a window, furniture, or even bones.
EXAMPLE
Bei dem Unfall wurde die Windschutzscheibe des Autos zertrümmert.
In the accident, the car's windshield was smashed.
Figurative meaning
In the figurative sense, 'zertrümmern' (to shatter) is used for abstract things. Common combinations are 'Hoffnungen zertrümmern' (to shatter hopes), 'Träume zertrümmern' (to shatter dreams), or 'Pläne zertrümmern' (to shatter plans).
EXAMPLE
Die Absage der Universität hat ihre Hoffnungen auf einen Studienplatz zertrümmert.
The university's rejection shattered her hopes of getting a place to study.
Compare with
zertrümmern vs zerstören
to destroy
'zerstören' and 'zertrümmern' both mean that something is damaged very severely. 'zerstören' is more general: a house, a device, a plan, or a relationship can be destroyed. 'zertrümmern' sounds stronger and more concrete. It fits especially when something is smashed into many pieces with great force, for example glass or stone. In a figurative sense, 'zertrümmern' sounds more dramatic than 'zerstören'.
zertrümmern
Beim Unfall wurde die Windschutzscheibe vollständig zertrümmert.
The windshield was completely shattered in the accident.
zerstören
Der Sturm hat mehrere Häuser am Fluss zerstört.
The storm destroyed several houses by the river.
In real life
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