schädigen
Translation
to damage, to harm, to injure, to prejudice
Examples
Rauchen schädigt die Gesundheit.
Smoking damages your health.
Der Frost hat die Pflanzen geschädigt.
The frost has damaged the plants.
Sein Ruf wurde durch die Gerüchte geschädigt.
His reputation was damaged by the rumors.
Grammar Patterns
((sth./sb.)) to damage sth./sb. The scandal damaged his reputation.
Similar Words
Synonyms: beschädigen, verletzen; Antonyms: nützen, helfen
Etymology
Derived from the noun 'der Schaden' (damage, harm). The '-igen' suffix verbalizes the noun.
Memory Tips
Connect it to the German exclamation 'Schade!' (Too bad! or What a pity!), which you'd say if something got damaged.