zerschlagen
Translation
to smash, to shatter, to defeat, to crush
Examples
Er hat die Vase zerschlagen.
He smashed the vase.
Die Armee wurde völlig zerschlagen.
The army was completely defeated.
Seine Hoffnung wurde zerschlagen.
His hope was shattered.
Grammar Patterns
((sth.)) to smash sth. He smashed the vase.
Similar Words
Synonyms: to destroy, to annihilate; Antonyms: to build, to repair
Etymology
From the prefix zer- (apart, into pieces) + schlagen (to hit, to strike). Literally 'to strike apart'.
Memory Tips
Picture 'striking' (schlagen) something so hard it breaks 'apart' (zer-).