verbrennen
Translation
to burn, to incinerate, to get burned
Examples
Das Holz verbrennt im Kamin.
The wood is burning in the fireplace.
Er hat die alten Briefe verbrannt.
He burned the old letters.
Ich habe mich an der heißen Pfanne verbrannt.
I burned myself on the hot pan.
Grammar Patterns
((sth.)) to burn sth. He is burning old documents.
sich((acc)) to burn oneself. She burned her hand.
(intransitive) to burn. The paper burns quickly.
Similar Words
Synonyms: abbrennen, anbrennen; Antonym: löschen (to extinguish)
Etymology
From the prefix `ver-` (indicating completion or a negative outcome) + `brennen` (to burn). It implies burning completely or burning by mistake (getting burned).
Memory Tips
Think of the `ver-` prefix as intensifying the action of `brennen` (to burn). It's not just burning, it's burning up or burning yourself.