verschulden
Translation
to be at fault for, to cause, to get into debt
Examples
Er hat den Unfall nicht verschuldet.
He was not at fault for the accident.
Sie hat sich hoch verschuldet.
She got heavily into debt.
Grammar Patterns
((sth.acc)) to be at fault for sth. He was at fault for the argument.
sich verschulden to get into debt He got into debt with the bank.
Similar Words
Synonyms: verursachen (to cause), Schulden machen (to get into debt)
Etymology
From 'ver-' + 'Schuld' (guilt, debt). The prefix 'ver-' turns the noun into a verb, meaning to cause guilt or to incur debt.
Memory Tips
Think of 'ver-' as taking on. You take on 'Schuld' (guilt) -> you are at fault. You take on 'Schuld' (debt) -> you get into debt.