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B1 verb #3,000 más común 9 min de lectura

verbrennen

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Practícalo Ejemplos Notas y consejos verbrennen en 30 segundos

Explicación verbrennen in your Level:

At the A1 level, you should know 'verbrennen' in its most basic physical sense. It means something is being destroyed by fire or you are hurting yourself with something hot. You might see it in simple warnings like 'Heiß! Nicht verbrennen!' (Hot! Don't burn yourself!). At this stage, just remember that fire 'burns' things. You don't need to worry too much about the complex grammar yet. Focus on the idea that heat causes 'verbrennen'. For example, if you touch a hot pizza, you might 'verbrennen' your tongue. It is a word you use to describe accidents in the kitchen or the danger of fire. Keep it simple: Fire + Object = Verbrennen. You might also hear it when talking about the sun: 'Sonne macht verbrennen' (The sun causes burning), though 'Sonnenbrand' is the noun you'll learn later. Just remember it as a 'danger' word.

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At the A2 level, you begin to use 'verbrennen' in more complete sentences. You should understand that it is a verb that can describe an action you do (transitive) or something that happens to an object (intransitive). You will learn to say things like 'Ich habe das Papier verbrannt' (I burned the paper). You also start using it for personal injuries with the reflexive pronoun: 'Ich habe mir den Finger verbrannt' (I burned my finger). Notice the use of 'mir' (dative). At this level, you might also encounter it in the context of cooking: 'Der Toast ist verbrannt' (The toast is burnt). You are moving from single words to describing everyday mishaps. You should also be aware that 'verbrennen' is used for calories in basic fitness contexts: 'Sport verbrennt Kalorien'. This is a very common and useful sentence for A2 learners.

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At the B1 level, you are expected to master the distinction between 'haben' and 'sein' in the perfect tense. This is crucial. If you say 'Das Haus hat verbrannt', it sounds like the house was actively burning something else. You must say 'Das Haus ist verbrannt' to mean the house itself was destroyed. You should also be comfortable with the metaphorical use of 'verbrennen'. For instance, 'Geld verbrennen' (to waste money) is a common expression you might hear in news or conversations about bad investments. You also learn more specific types of burning, like 'Sonnenbrand bekommen' (to get a sunburn) or 'sich die Zunge verbrennen'. You can now use the word to describe processes, like how a motor burns fuel or how the body burns fat. Your sentences become more complex, using 'verbrennen' in subordinate clauses: 'Ich passe auf, damit ich mich nicht verbrenne'.

At the B2 level, you use 'verbrennen' with nuance and precision. You understand the difference between 'verbrennen', 'anbrennen', and 'abbrennen' and can choose the correct one for the situation. You might use 'verbrennen' in more abstract or formal contexts, such as discussing environmental issues: 'Die CO2-Emissionen entstehen, wenn wir fossile Brennstoffe verbrennen'. You are also familiar with more idiomatic expressions like 'sich die Finger verbrennen', which means to suffer consequences from a risky action. You can discuss the chemical process of combustion using 'Verbrennung' (the noun). Your ability to use the passive voice with this verb also improves: 'Die Beweise wurden verbrannt'. You can now describe complex scenarios where 'verbrennen' is part of a larger chain of events, using a variety of tenses and moods.

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At the C1 level, you use 'verbrennen' and its derivatives with native-like fluency. You are aware of its poetic and literary uses. For example, you might read about 'vor Liebe verbrennen' (to burn with love) or 'das Feuer der Leidenschaft'. You can use the word in sophisticated arguments about economics or science without hesitation. You understand the technical aspects of 'Verbrennungsmotoren' (internal combustion engines) and can discuss the 'Müllverbrennungsanlage' (waste incineration plant) in a debate about the environment. You also recognize the subtle differences in register between 'verbrennen' and more formal synonyms like 'verzehren' (to consume, often by fire or emotion). Your use of the verb in the subjunctive or in complex participial constructions is seamless. You can analyze how the word is used in news headlines to create impact, such as 'Millionen verbrannt' in a financial scandal.

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At the C2 level, you have a complete grasp of the historical and etymological depth of 'verbrennen'. You can appreciate its use in classical German literature, from Goethe to Schiller, where fire and 'verbrennen' often symbolize purification, destruction, or intense emotion. You are comfortable with the most obscure idioms and can even play with the word in creative writing or puns. You understand how 'verbrennen' fits into the broader Germanic linguistic family and its relationship to English 'burn'. You can use the word in highly specialized academic contexts, such as chemistry, thermodynamics, or sociology (e.g., the metaphorical 'burning' of social capital). Your command of the verb is so thorough that you can use it to convey subtle irony or deep metaphorical meaning, far beyond its literal sense of combustion.

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Practícalo Ejemplos Notas y consejos

verbrennen en 30 segundos

Verbrennen primarily means to consume or destroy something using fire or extreme heat.
It is used reflexively to describe personal injuries like burning your hand on a stove.
In a fitness context, it refers to the body's process of using up calories or fat.
Metaphorically, it describes wasting money or permanently ending relationships ('burning bridges').

The German verb verbrennen is a multifaceted term that primarily describes the process of combustion or the resulting damage caused by heat. At its most literal level, it refers to the chemical reaction where a substance reacts with oxygen to produce heat and light, effectively being consumed by fire. However, for a B1 learner, it is crucial to understand that verbrennen extends far beyond simple campfires or house fires. It is used in biological contexts, such as the metabolism of energy, and in figurative contexts to describe the destruction of relationships or the wasteful expenditure of resources. Unlike the simple verb brennen (to be on fire), the prefix ver- often implies a transformation, completion, or destruction. When you verbrennen something, it is often gone or permanently changed.

Physical Destruction: This is the most common usage, where an object is reduced to ashes. It can be intentional, like burning old documents, or accidental, like a forest fire. In this sense, it is a transitive verb requiring an object.

Die Feuerwehr konnte nicht verhindern, dass das alte Lagerhaus komplett verbrannte.

Biological/Physiological Context: In the world of fitness and health, verbrennen is the standard term for burning calories (Kalorien verbrennen) or fat (Fett verbrennen). It describes the body's internal combustion engine at work. Furthermore, it describes the physical injury to skin caused by heat, chemicals, or the sun.

Wenn du eine Stunde joggst, kannst du viele Kalorien verbrennen.

Metaphorical and Idiomatic Usage: Germans use this verb to describe financial loss, such as 'Geld verbrennen' (to waste money rapidly), or social mistakes, such as 'sich die Finger verbrennen' (to get one's fingers burnt/get into trouble). It implies a painful lesson or a permanent loss of opportunity.

Durch riskante Aktieninvestitionen hat er sein gesamtes Erbe verbrannt.

Ich habe mir beim Kochen die Hand an der heißen Pfanne verbrannt.

Pass auf, dass die Kekse im Ofen nicht verbrennen!

In summary, verbrennen is a powerful verb that covers everything from a kitchen mishap to complex metabolic processes and financial disasters. Its usage depends heavily on whether the action is directed at an object or describing a state of being consumed. Understanding its nuances will significantly enhance your ability to describe physical events and abstract consequences in German.

Using verbrennen correctly requires attention to its grammatical structure, particularly its dual nature as both a transitive and an intransitive verb. This distinction dictates whether you use haben or sein in the perfect tense, which is a common stumbling block for learners. Let's break down the various ways this verb integrates into German syntax.

Transitive Usage (with Accusative Object): When someone or something is actively burning an object, verbrennen takes an accusative object. In this case, the auxiliary verb is always haben. For example: 'Ich habe die alten Briefe verbrannt' (I burned the old letters). Here, the focus is on the action of the subject performing the burning.

Der Gärtner verbrennt das trockene Laub im Garten.

Intransitive Usage (Change of State): When an object is being consumed by fire or is 'burning up' on its own, the verb is intransitive. In this context, it describes a change of state (from existing to being destroyed), and therefore uses sein as the auxiliary verb. For example: 'Das ganze Haus ist verbrannt' (The whole house burned down).

Wegen der Hitze sind viele Wälder in Australien verbrannt.

Reflexive Usage (Injuries): When talking about burning oneself, we use the reflexive pronoun in the dative case if a specific body part is mentioned: 'Ich habe mir die Hand verbrannt'. If the whole person is the object, it is accusative: 'Ich habe mich verbrannt'. This is essential for health-related conversations.

Hast du dich an der heißen Suppe verbrannt?

Sie hat sich in der Sonne den Rücken verbrannt.

Die Sonne verbrennt die empfindliche Haut sehr schnell.

Mastering verbrennen involves recognizing these structural patterns. Whether you are describing a scientific process, a personal injury, or a metaphorical loss, the choice between transitive, intransitive, and reflexive forms is key to sounding natural and accurate in German.

The word verbrennen is ubiquitous in German daily life, appearing in environments ranging from the kitchen to the gym, and from news reports to business meetings. Understanding where you are likely to encounter it will help you grasp its different shades of meaning in real-time conversations.

In the Kitchen and at Home: This is perhaps the most immediate context. You will hear it when someone warns you about a hot stove or when the toast is left in too long. Phrases like 'Lass das Essen nicht verbrennen!' (Don't let the food burn!) are common. It's also used in the context of disposal, such as burning garden waste or old wood in a fireplace.

Oh nein, der Braten ist im Ofen völlig verbrannt!

Fitness and Health Centers: If you visit a German gym or read health magazines, verbrennen is the go-to word for energy consumption. You'll see posters asking, 'Wie viele Kalorien verbrennst du heute?' (How many calories are you burning today?). It is an essential term for discussing weight loss and metabolic health.

Krafttraining hilft dabei, auch im Ruhezustand mehr Fett zu verbrennen.

News and Environmental Reports: In the media, the word is used to discuss waste management ('Müllverbrennung') and climate change. You might hear about 'fossile Brennstoffe verbrennen' (burning fossil fuels) and its impact on the atmosphere. It is also used in reports about forest fires or industrial accidents.

Das Verbrennen von Kohle ist extrem schädlich für das Klima.

Ich habe mir die Zunge an dem heißen Kaffee verbrannt.

Die Firma hat in nur sechs Monaten Millionen an Risikokapital verbrannt.

By paying attention to these contexts, you'll notice that verbrennen is a versatile tool for describing both physical reality and abstract concepts of loss and consumption.

Learners of German often struggle with verbrennen due to its similarity to other verbs and its specific grammatical requirements. Avoiding these common pitfalls will make your German sound much more sophisticated and accurate.

Confusion with 'brennen': The most common mistake is using 'brennen' when you mean 'verbrennen'. 'Brennen' describes the state of being on fire: 'Die Kerze brennt' (The candle is burning). 'Verbrennen' describes the process of something being consumed or destroyed: 'Das Papier ist verbrannt' (The paper burned up). If the object is being destroyed or changed into ash, use verbrennen.

Falsch: Das Haus brennt komplett. (The house is on fire.)
Richtig: Das Haus ist komplett verbrannt. (The house burned down completely.)

Auxiliary Verb Errors (haben vs. sein): As mentioned before, verbrennen can use either auxiliary. If you are the one doing the burning, use 'haben'. If the thing is burning on its own, use 'sein'. Learners often default to 'haben' for everything, which sounds wrong when describing a forest fire or a building fire.

Richtig: Ich habe das Foto verbrannt. (Transitive)
Richtig: Das Foto ist verbrannt. (Intransitive)

Reflexive Pronoun Omission: When you burn yourself, you MUST use a reflexive pronoun. Saying 'Ich habe die Hand verbrannt' sounds like you burned someone else's hand or a hand that was lying around. You must say 'Ich habe mir die Hand verbrannt'.

Pass auf! Du verbrennst dich noch!

Ich habe mir die Finger an der Kerze verbrannt.

Die Milch ist angebrannt (not verbrannt, unless it's a solid block of charcoal!).

By keeping these distinctions in mind—especially the 'ver-' prefix's implication of destruction and the importance of reflexive pronouns—you will avoid the most common errors made by intermediate learners.

To truly master German, you need to know not just verbrennen, but also its synonyms and related terms. Each has a specific nuance that makes it more appropriate in certain contexts.

brennen vs. verbrennen: As discussed, brennen is the state (The fire is burning), while verbrennen is the process of destruction (The paper is burning up). If you want to say something is currently on fire, use brennen. If you want to say it's being destroyed by fire, use verbrennen.

Das Feuer brennt hell, aber das Holz verbrennt langsam.

abbrennen: This verb is specifically used when something burns down to the ground or is completely consumed, often buildings or large structures. It emphasizes the completion of the destruction. It can also be used for fireworks ('ein Feuerwerk abbrennen').

Die Hütte ist bis auf die Grundmauern abgebrannt.

entflammen: This is a more poetic or formal word, meaning 'to burst into flames' or 'to ignite'. It is often used metaphorically for emotions, such as 'für eine Idee entflammen' (to become enthusiastic about an idea).

Seine Rede hat die Massen entflammt.

Die Milch ist mir im Topf angebrannt.

Er hat alle Brücken hinter sich abgebrochen (Note: In German, we use 'abbrechen' or 'verbrennen' for 'burning bridges').

Choosing the right word depends on whether you are describing a state, a process, a disaster, or a poetic feeling. Expanding your vocabulary with these alternatives will help you express yourself with much greater precision.

How Formal Is It?

Dato curioso

The prefix 'ver-' in German often turns a state into a process of destruction or change, which is why 'brennen' (to be on fire) becomes 'verbrennen' (to burn up).

Guía de pronunciación

UK /fɛɐ̯ˈbʀɛnən/

US /fɛrˈbrɛnən/

The stress is on the second syllable: ver-BRENN-en.

Rima con

nennen kennen rennen trennen pennen brennen erkennen benennen

Errores comunes

Pronouncing the 'v' like an English 'v' (it should be an 'f').
Stress on the first syllable (the prefix 'ver-' is never stressed).
Confusing it with the English 'burn' which sounds different.
Not shortening the 'e' before the double 'n'.
Over-emphasizing the final 'n'.

Nivel de dificultad

Lectura 2/5

Easy to recognize in context.

Escritura 4/5

Difficult to remember 'haben' vs 'sein' and reflexive pronouns.

Expresión oral 3/5

Requires practice with the 'v' as 'f' sound.

Escucha 2/5

Clear pronunciation usually helps identification.

Qué aprender después

Requisitos previos

brennen das Feuer heiß die Hand das Geld

Aprende después

anbrennen abbrennen die Verbrennung der Brand löschen

Avanzado

verzehren einäschern oxidieren entflammen glimmen

Gramática que debes saber

Mixed Verbs

verbrennen - verbrannte - verbrannt

Reflexive Verbs with Dative

Ich verbrenne MIR die Hand.

Auxiliary Verbs: haben vs sein

Ich habe es verbrannt vs. Es ist verbrannt.

Inseparable Prefix 'ver-'

The 'ver' stays with the verb and is never stressed.

Nominalization of Verbs

Das Verbrennen von Müll ist teuer.

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Ejemplos por nivel

Das Feuer verbrennt das Holz.

The fire burns the wood.

Simple subject-verb-object structure.

Vorsicht, die Suppe ist heiß! Nicht verbrennen!

Careful, the soup is hot! Don't burn yourself!

Imperative usage with a warning.

Ich verbrenne das alte Papier.

I am burning the old paper.

Present tense, transitive.

Die Sonne verbrennt meine Haut.

The sun is burning my skin.

Direct action of the sun.

Der Toast verbrennt im Toaster.

The toast is burning in the toaster.

Intransitive usage in present tense.

Verbrennt das Feuer schnell?

Does the fire burn quickly?

Question form.

Hier darf man keinen Müll verbrennen.

You are not allowed to burn trash here.

Modal verb 'dürfen' with infinitive.

Das Kind verbrennt sich die Finger.

The child burns his fingers.

Reflexive with dative 'sich'.

Ich habe mir die Hand am Herd verbrannt.

I burned my hand on the stove.

Perfect tense with 'haben' and reflexive 'mir'.

Hast du gestern den Brief verbrannt?

Did you burn the letter yesterday?

Perfect tense question.

Das Haus ist leider komplett verbrannt.

Unfortunately, the house burned down completely.

Perfect tense with 'sein' (intransitive).

Wir verbrennen heute Abend Gartenabfälle.

We are burning garden waste tonight.

Transitive usage with 'wir'.

Laufen verbrennt viele Kalorien.

Running burns many calories.

Common fitness expression.

Pass auf, dass du dich nicht verbrennst!

Watch out that you don't burn yourself!

Reflexive 'dich' in a subordinate clause.

Das Essen ist im Ofen verbrannt.

The food burned in the oven.

Intransitive perfect with 'sein'.

Warum hast du die alten Fotos verbrannt?

Why did you burn the old photos?

Question in perfect tense.

Er hat sich beim Grillen die Augenbrauen verbrannt.

He burned his eyebrows while grilling.

Reflexive dative with specific body part.

Die Fabrik verbrannte früher viel Kohle.

The factory used to burn a lot of coal.

Präteritum (past tense) transitive.

Wenn man zu viel Geld verbrennt, wird man arm.

If you burn (waste) too much money, you become poor.

Metaphorical usage in a conditional sentence.

Die Haut ist durch die Chemikalien verbrannt.

The skin was burned by the chemicals.

Passive-like state with 'sein' + participle.

Wie kann man am effektivsten Fett verbrennen?

How can one burn fat most effectively?

Infinitive construction with 'kann'.

Das Holz verbrannte langsam im Kamin.

The wood burned slowly in the fireplace.

Präteritum intransitive.

Sie hat alle Brücken hinter sich verbrannt.

She burned all her bridges behind her.

Idiomatic expression.

Die Sonne verbrannte die Ernte auf den Feldern.

The sun burned the crops in the fields.

Transitive usage in past tense.

Die Müllverbrennungsanlage verbrennt täglich Tonnen von Abfall.

The waste incineration plant burns tons of waste daily.

Technical/Environmental context.

Er hat sich die Finger bei diesem Geschäft verbrannt.

He got his fingers burnt (suffered a loss) in this business.

Idiom for financial or social failure.

Durch das Verbrennen fossiler Brennstoffe steigt der CO2-Gehalt.

By burning fossil fuels, the CO2 content increases.

Gerund-like usage of the infinitive as a noun.

Die Rakete verbrennt beim Wiedereintritt in die Atmosphäre.

The rocket burns up upon re-entry into the atmosphere.

Scientific intransitive usage.

Er verbrannte seine ganze Energie für dieses Projekt.

He burned (spent) all his energy on this project.

Metaphorical usage for effort.

Das Gebäude ist bis auf die Grundmauern verbrannt.

The building burned down to its foundations.

Intransitive perfect with 'sein'.

Wir müssen mehr Kalorien verbrennen, als wir zu uns nehmen.

We must burn more calories than we consume.

Comparative sentence.

Die Sonne hat das Gras im Garten völlig verbrannt.

The sun has completely parched (burned) the grass in the garden.

Transitive perfect.

Die Leidenschaft verbrannte in seinem Herzen.

Passion burned in his heart.

Literary/Poetic usage.

Das Unternehmen hat in der Krise massiv Kapital verbrannt.

The company burned massive amounts of capital during the crisis.

High-level business German.

Die Dokumente wurden verbrannt, um Spuren zu verwischen.

The documents were burned to cover tracks.

Passive voice (Vorgangspassiv).

Ein Verbrennungsmotor wandelt chemische Energie in Bewegung um.

An internal combustion engine converts chemical energy into motion.

Noun derivative 'Verbrennung'.

Sie verbrannte sich fast vor Ungeduld.

She was almost burning with impatience.

Metaphorical reflexive usage.

Die Wälder verbrannten lichterloh.

The forests burned brightly/ablaze.

Usage of the adverb 'lichterloh'.

Man sollte nicht alle Brücken hinter sich verbrennen, wenn man kündigt.

One shouldn't burn all bridges when quitting.

Advice using the idiom.

Die Atmosphäre verbrennt die meisten Meteoriten.

The atmosphere burns up most meteorites.

Scientific transitive usage.

In Goethes Werk verbrennt die Seele oft in Sehnsucht.

In Goethe's work, the soul often burns with longing.

Literary analysis.

Das rücksichtslose Verbrennen von Ressourcen gefährdet die Zukunft.

The ruthless burning of resources endangers the future.

Nominalized verb as subject.

Die Sonne verbrannte die Erde zu einer staubigen Wüste.

The sun burned the earth into a dusty desert.

Resultative construction with 'zu'.

Er hat sich die Finger an der Macht verbrannt.

He got burned by power (suffered for seeking power).

Advanced abstract idiom.

Die chemische Reaktion verbrennt den Stoff rückstandslos.

The chemical reaction burns the substance without residue.

Scientific precision.

Die Stadt verbrannte in einer einzigen Nacht der Zerstörung.

The city burned in a single night of destruction.

Historical narrative style.

Man sagt, Liebe könne wie ein Feuer alles verbrennen.

They say love can burn everything like a fire.

Konjunktiv I (indirect speech).

Die verbrannte Erde hinterließen die Truppen auf ihrem Rückzug.

The troops left scorched earth behind on their retreat.

Fixed historical term 'Verbrannte Erde'.

Colocaciones comunes

Kalorien verbrennen

Fett verbrennen

Geld verbrennen

Brücken verbrennen

sich die Finger verbrennen

Müll verbrennen

fossile Brennstoffe verbrennen

sich die Zunge verbrennen

rückstandslos verbrennen

lichterloh verbrennen

Frases Comunes

An die Finger verbrennen

— To get into trouble by trying something risky.

Er hat sich bei dem Deal die Finger verbrannt.

Alle Brücken hinter sich verbrennen

— To cut off all possibilities of returning to a previous state.

Sie verbrannte alle Brücken zu ihrer alten Firma.

Geld verbrennen

— To waste large amounts of money quickly.

Das neue Marketing-Konzept verbrennt nur Geld.

Sich die Zunge verbrennen

— To burn one's tongue on hot food or drink.

Vorsicht, der Tee ist heiß, verbrenn dir nicht die Zunge!

Kalorien verbrennen

— To use energy through physical activity.

Wie viele Kalorien verbrennst du beim Schwimmen?

Etwas zu Asche verbrennen

— To burn something completely until only ash remains.

Das Feuer verbrannte das Papier zu Asche.

Sich in der Sonne verbrennen

— To get a sunburn.

Ohne Creme wirst du dich in der Sonne verbrennen.

Beweise verbrennen

— To destroy evidence using fire.

Der Täter hat alle Beweise verbrannt.

Kohle verbrennen

— To burn coal for energy (or metaphorically, to spend money).

Früher wurde viel Kohle zum Heizen verbrannt.

Vor Neid verbrennen

— To be consumed by jealousy (poetic/strong).

Er verbrannte fast vor Neid auf ihren Erfolg.

Se confunde a menudo con

verbrennen vs brennen

Brennen is the state of being on fire; verbrennen is the process of being destroyed by fire.

verbrennen vs anbrennen

Anbrennen is for food slightly sticking to a pan; verbrennen is total destruction.

verbrennen vs abbrennen

Abbrennen is specifically for buildings or structures burning down to the ground.

Modismos y expresiones

"Sich die Finger verbrennen"

— To suffer negative consequences after taking a risk or being too curious.

Ich habe mir bei diesem Investment die Finger verbrannt.

informal/neutral

"Alle Brücken hinter sich verbrennen"

— To make it impossible to go back to a previous situation or relationship.

Nach dem Streit hat er alle Brücken verbrannt.

neutral

"Geld verbrennen"

— To spend money rapidly and without getting any value in return.

Das Start-up verbrennt jeden Monat 50.000 Euro.

business/informal

"Wie ein verbranntes Kind das Feuer scheuen"

— To be extra cautious after a bad experience (similar to 'once bitten, twice shy').

Nach seinem Unfall scheut er das Auto wie ein verbranntes Kind das Feuer.

proverbial

"Für jemanden/etwas verbrennen"

— To be extremely passionate about someone or something.

Er verbrennt förmlich für seine Kunst.

poetic

"Sich die Zunge an etwas verbrennen"

— Literally burning the tongue, or metaphorically saying something that gets you in trouble.

Er hat sich mit seiner ehrlichen Meinung die Zunge verbrannt.

informal

"Verbrannte Erde hinterlassen"

— To destroy everything so that an enemy or successor cannot use it.

Der Chef hinterließ nach seiner Kündigung verbrannte Erde.

neutral/historical

"Etwas im Keim verbrennen"

— To stop something at the very beginning (more common: im Keim ersticken).

Wir müssen diese Gerüchte im Keim verbrennen.

rare/metaphorical

"Die Finger von etwas lassen, um sie sich nicht zu verbrennen"

— To stay away from something dangerous or risky.

Lass die Finger von diesem Vertrag, du verbrennst dich nur.

informal

"Vor Sehnsucht verbrennen"

— To feel an overwhelming, painful longing for someone.

Sie verbrannte vor Sehnsucht nach ihm.

literary

Fácil de confundir

verbrennen vs brennen

Both relate to fire.

Brennen is 'to be on fire' (Die Kerze brennt). Verbrennen is 'to burn up' (Das Papier verbrennt).

Die Kerze brennt, aber das Papier verbrennt im Feuer.

verbrennen vs anbrennen

Both used in cooking.

Anbrennen means the bottom of the food is stuck/burnt. Verbrennen means the whole thing is ruined.

Die Suppe ist angebrannt, aber das Brot ist völlig verbrannt.

verbrennen vs abbrennen

Both mean destruction.

Abbrennen is for total destruction of buildings. Verbrennen is more general.

Das Haus ist abgebrannt, aber meine Fotos sind im Feuer verbrannt.

verbrennen vs verfeuern

Both mean using fire.

Verfeuern is specifically using something as fuel.

Wir verfeuern Holz, um das Haus zu heizen.

verbrennen vs versengen

Both mean heat damage.

Versengen is a very light surface burn (singeing).

Ich habe mir die Haare am Feuer nur versengt, nicht verbrannt.

Patrones de oraciones

Subjekt + verbrennt + Objekt.

Das Feuer verbrennt das Holz.

Subjekt + hat + Objekt + verbrannt.

Ich habe den Brief verbrannt.

Subjekt + ist + verbrannt.

Die Pizza ist verbrannt.

Subjekt + hat + sich (Dat) + Körperteil + verbrannt.

Er hat sich den Finger verbrannt.

Durch das Verbrennen von + Nomen...

Durch das Verbrennen von Kohle entsteht CO2.

Subjekt + verbrennt + Geld/Kapital.

Die Firma verbrennt viel Geld.

Passiv: Objekt + wurde + verbrannt.

Die Akten wurden verbrannt.

Metaphorisch: Vor + Nomen + verbrennen.

Sie verbrannte vor Leidenschaft.

Familia de palabras

Sustantivos

die Verbrennung

der Verbrenner

das Verbrennungsopfer

der Brand

der Sonnenbrand

Verbos

brennen

abbrennen

anbrennen

durchbrennen

entbrennen

Adjetivos

verbrannt

brennbar

unbrennbar

verbrennungsmotorisch

Relacionado

das Feuer

die Flamme

die Asche

die Hitze

der Rauch

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Cómo usarlo

frequency

very high

Errores comunes

Ich habe die Hand verbrannt. → Ich habe mir die Hand verbrannt.
Without the reflexive pronoun 'mir', it sounds like you burned a detached hand.
Das Haus hat verbrannt. → Das Haus ist verbrannt.
When the subject itself is destroyed, use 'sein'.
Die Suppe ist verbrannt. → Die Suppe ist angebrannt.
Unless the soup is literally charcoal, 'angebrannt' is more accurate for cooking.
Ich brenne den Brief. → Ich verbrenne den Brief.
'Brennen' is intransitive (to be on fire); 'verbrennen' is the action of destroying.
Er hat sich die Finger verbrannt (literally). → Er hat sich die Finger verbrannt (metaphorically).
Be careful with context; this is often used for social/business mistakes.

Consejos

Auxiliary Choice

Remember: 'sein' for the state of being burnt, 'haben' for the act of burning something.

Prefix Power

The prefix 'ver-' often means 'gone' or 'destroyed'. Use it when the object is no longer usable.

Sun Safety

In summer, always use 'sich verbrennen' with 'mir' or 'dich' when talking about skin.

Business Slang

Use 'Geld verbrennen' to describe a project that is failing financially.

The 'V' sound

Always pronounce the 'v' like an 'f'. It's 'fer-brennen', not 'ver-brennen'.

Kitchen Nuance

Distinguish between 'anbrennen' (minor) and 'verbrennen' (disaster).

Bridge Burning

Use 'Brücken verbrennen' when someone makes a permanent life change.

Gym Talk

Use 'Kalorien verbrennen' when talking about your workout goals.

Mixed Verb Forms

Memorize the trio: verbrennen, verbrannte, verbrannt.

Combustion

Use 'Verbrennung' as the noun for chemical processes.

Memorízalo

Mnemotecnia

Think of 'VER-y hot' + 'BRENNEN' (burn). When something is VERy hot, it will VERBRENNEN (burn up).

Asociación visual

Imagine a letter (the object) turning into ash in a fire. The process of it disappearing is 'verbrennen'.

Word Web

Feuer Asche Hitze Kalorien Geld Haut Sonne Küche

Desafío

Try to write three sentences: one about fire, one about exercise, and one about an accident.

Origen de la palabra

Derived from the Middle High German 'verbrennen' and Old High German 'farbrinnan'. It combines the prefix 'ver-' (indicating completion or destruction) with 'brennen' (to burn).

Significado original: To consume by fire or to be destroyed by fire.

Germanic

Contexto cultural

Be careful when using 'Bücherverbrennung' as it has very strong historical connotations in Germany.

The English 'burn' covers both 'brennen' and 'verbrennen', which is why English speakers often mix them up.

The 'Müllverbrennungsanlage' in many German cities. Historical 'Bücherverbrennung' (book burning) during the Nazi era. The 'Verbrennungsmotor' as a symbol of German engineering.

Practica en la vida real

Contextos reales

Cooking

Das Essen ist verbrannt.
Lass es nicht verbrennen!
Ich habe mir die Zunge verbrannt.
Es riecht verbrannt.

Fitness

Kalorien verbrennen
Fettverbrennung
Wie viel verbrennst du?
Energie verbrennen

Accidents

Ich habe mir die Hand verbrannt.
Verbrennungsgefahr!
Er hat Verbrennungen zweiten Grades.
Kühl die Stelle!

Environment

Müll verbrennen
Kohle verbrennen
CO2-Ausstoß
Verbrennungsanlage

Money

Geld verbrennen
Kapital verbrennen
Viel Geld verbrannt
Finanzieller Verlust

Inicios de conversación

"Hast du dir schon mal beim Kochen richtig die Finger verbrannt?"

"Wie viele Kalorien verbrennst du normalerweise bei deinem Training?"

"Findest du, dass man alte Briefe von Ex-Partnern verbrennen sollte?"

"Was hältst du von der Müllverbrennung in deiner Stadt?"

"Hast du schon mal in der Sonne einen richtig schlimmen Sonnenbrand bekommen?"

Temas para diario

Beschreibe eine Situation, in der du dir die Finger verbrannt hast (wörtlich oder metaphorisch).

Was sind die Vor- und Nachteile der Verbrennung von fossilen Brennstoffen für unsere Gesellschaft?

Schreibe über einen Tag, an dem du besonders viele Kalorien verbrannt hast. Was hast du gemacht?

Gibt es etwas aus deiner Vergangenheit, das du am liebsten symbolisch verbrennen würdest?

Erkläre, warum es wichtig ist, beim Grillen vorsichtig zu sein, um sich nicht zu verbrennen.

Preguntas frecuentes

10 preguntas

It depends! Use 'hat' if someone burns something (transitive). Use 'ist' if something burns up on its own (intransitive). Example: 'Ich habe das Papier verbrannt' vs. 'Das Papier ist verbrannt'.

You must use the reflexive dative: 'Ich habe mir die Hand verbrannt'. Don't forget the 'mir'!

'Brennen' is the state of being alight (The sun burns). 'Verbrennen' is the process of destruction or injury (The sun burns my skin).

Yes! 'Kalorien verbrennen' is the standard way to say this in German.

No, it is a mixed verb. Present: verbrennt, Past: verbrannte, Participle: verbrannt.

It's an idiom meaning to waste money very quickly, often in a business context.

The noun is 'der Sonnenbrand', but the action is 'sich in der Sonne verbrennen'.

Yes, 'Brücken verbrennen' is a common idiom in German, just like in English.

It is an internal combustion engine, like the ones in most cars.

'Verbrannte' is the simple past (Präteritum), and 'verbrannt' is the past participle used in the perfect tense.

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