to destroy / undo
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to destroy / undo
To completely destroy or invalidate something, such as a hope, plan, or effort.
Der plötzliche Sturm hat alle unsere Vorbereitungen für das Gartenfest zunichte gemacht.
The sudden storm destroyed all our preparations for the garden party.
The adverb 'zunichte' is used almost exclusively in the fixed expression 'etwas zunichte machen' (to destroy/undo something). It appears at the end of the sentence or clause.
Ein einziger Fehler machte die ganze Arbeit zunichte.
A single mistake destroyed all the work.
The word is made up of 'zu' and 'nichte'. 'Nichte' is an old dative form of 'nichts' (nothing). So the expression literally means to make something 'into nothing'.
Der Verrat hat sein Vertrauen vollständig zunichte gemacht.
The betrayal completely destroyed his trust.
The expression 'zunichte machen' (to destroy/undo) is typically used with abstract nouns. Common objects are 'Hoffnungen' (hopes), 'Pläne' (plans), 'Mühe' (effort), 'Anstrengungen' (efforts), or 'ein Sieg' (a victory).
Die Absage hat ihre Hoffnung auf den Job zunichte gemacht.
The cancellation destroyed her hope of getting the job.
The expression 'zunichte machen' (to destroy/undo) belongs more to elevated written language. It sounds more formal and often more dramatic.
Die Wirtschaftskrise machte die Erfolge der letzten Jahre zunichte.
The economic crisis wiped out the successes of recent years.
to destroy
'zerstören' and 'zunichte machen' can both mean that something no longer continues to exist. 'zerstören' can be used for physical things, but also for feelings, relationships, or plans. 'zunichte machen' is used especially for hopes, plans, work, or effort. It emphasizes that a goal can no longer be achieved. If a house is ruined, you are more likely to say 'zerstören'. If a plan fails, 'zunichte machen' often fits very well.
Der starke Regen macht unsere Pläne für den Ausflug zunichte.
The heavy rain ruins our plans for the outing.
Eine einzige unüberlegte Bemerkung kann viel Vertrauen zerstören.
A single thoughtless remark can destroy a lot of trust.