zerschellen
Translation
to shatter, to smash, to crash
Examples
Das Schiff zerschellte an den Felsen.
The ship smashed against the rocks.
Das Glas zerschellte auf dem Boden.
The glass shattered on the floor.
Seine Pläne zerschellten an der harten Realität.
His plans were shattered by the harsh reality.
Grammar Patterns
((on/against sth.)) to smash on/against sth. to smash on/against sth. The ship smashed against the rocks.
Similar Words
zerbrechen (to break), zerschmettern (to smash), zerspringen (to shatter)
Etymology
From 'zer-' (destruction) and 'schellen', an old word related to 'schallen' (to sound, to ring). The idea is of something breaking with a loud noise.
Memory Tips
Imagine a 'Schelle' (bell) being hit so hard it breaks apart ('zer-'). This verb is often used for things crashing against a hard surface, like a ship on rocks.