gerissen
Translation
cunning, sly, crafty, torn
Examples
Das Seil ist gerissen.
The rope has torn.
Er ist ein gerissener Geschäftsmann.
He is a cunning businessman.
Sie hat das Problem sehr gerissen gelöst.
She solved the problem very cleverly.
Grammar Patterns
[as predicate] ((subject)) + to be + torn The rope has torn. Das Seil ist gerissen.
[as adjective] before a noun cunning, sly He is a cunning businessman.
Similar Words
Synonyms (cunning): sly, clever; Synonyms (torn): ripped. Antonyms (cunning): naive, honest.
Etymology
Past participle of 'reißen' (to tear, rip). The figurative meaning 'cunning' evolved from the idea of being 'torn' through many experiences, hence worldly-wise and sly.
Memory Tips
Imagine a cunning fox that has 'torn' (gerissen) through many traps. This connects the physical meaning (torn) with the figurative one (cunning).