zunichte
Translation
to nothing, ruined
Examples
Der Sturm hat die Ernte zunichte gemacht.
The storm destroyed the harvest.
Seine Hoffnung wurde zunichte gemacht.
His hope was dashed.
Grammar Patterns
((et4)) zunichte machen to ruin/destroy (sth.) The fire made all their efforts zunichte.
Similar Words
Synonyms for 'zunichte machen': zerstören, ruinieren
Etymology
From 'zu' (to) + 'nichte' (an old dative form of 'nichts', meaning 'nothing'). Literally means 'to nothing'.
Memory Tips
Think of something being reduced 'to nothing'. The phrase 'zu nichts' became 'zunichte'.