der Ruin
Translation
ruin, downfall, destruction, bankruptcy
Examples
Das Glücksspiel führte ihn in den Ruin.
Gambling led him to ruin.
Die Firma stand kurz vor dem Ruin.
The company was on the verge of ruin.
Grammar Patterns
to drive sb./sth. to ruin ((j-n/et4 in den Ruin treiben)) Gambling drove him to ruin.
to be on the verge of ruin ((vor dem Ruin stehen)) The company is on the verge of ruin.
Similar Words
Synonyms: downfall, collapse, bankruptcy; Antonyms: success, prosperity
Etymology
From French 'ruine', from Latin 'ruina' (collapse).
Memory Tips
Cognate with the English word 'ruin'. In German, it often refers to financial or moral ruin.