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verwundet

A2 adjective 7 min read

verwundet

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips verwundet in 30 Seconds

Explanation verwundet in your Level:

At the A1 level, you likely won't use 'verwundet' very often. You will primarily learn 'verletzt' to describe being hurt. However, you might encounter 'verwundet' in very simple stories or fairy tales where a character is hurt in a forest or a battle. At this stage, just recognize that it means 'hurt' or 'injured'. You don't need to worry about the complex difference between 'verletzt' and 'verwundet' yet. Focus on the fact that it describes a person's state. If you see 'Der Bär ist verwundet', understand that the bear is injured and probably has a wound. Remember that in simple sentences, it doesn't change its ending: 'Er ist verwundet.' This makes it easy to use if you want to sound a bit more descriptive than just using 'kaputt' or 'nicht gut'. It is a good 'bonus' word to know for describing pictures of animals or historical figures in your textbook.

At the A2 level, you should start distinguishing between 'verletzt' (general injury) and 'verwundet' (specifically having a wound). You are now learning to describe past events and more detailed situations. If you are talking about a news report or a historical event, 'verwundet' is a better choice than 'verletzt'. You should also begin to practice using it as an adjective before a noun, which requires you to apply the adjective endings you are learning. For example, 'ein verwundeter Soldat' (nominative masculine). You might also see it used metaphorically in simple contexts, like 'Er ist tief verwundet' when someone's feelings are hurt. Understanding this word helps you transition from basic survival German to more descriptive and narrative German. Pay attention to how it is used in the passive voice: 'Er wurde verwundet' (He was wounded). This is a common structure in A2 reading materials.

By B1, you are expected to use 'verwundet' correctly in various contexts, including more formal and literary ones. You should be comfortable with the passive voice and how 'verwundet' functions as a past participle. You will encounter this word frequently in German literature, news articles about global conflicts, and health-related discussions involving trauma. At this level, you should also understand the noun form 'der/die Verwundete' (the wounded person) and how it is declined like an adjective. For example, 'Die Ärzte versorgen die Verwundeten' (The doctors are treating the wounded). You should also be able to use it metaphorically to describe psychological states with more nuance, perhaps in a discussion about a movie or a book. B1 learners should also start noticing the prepositions that go with it, such as 'an der Schulter verwundet' (wounded in the shoulder).

At the B2 level, your use of 'verwundet' should be precise and stylistically appropriate. You understand that 'verwundet' carries a certain weight and gravitas. In a formal essay or a presentation about history or social issues, you would choose 'verwundet' over 'verletzt' to emphasize the severity or the nature of the injury (e.g., in a war context). You should also be familiar with related terms like 'schwerverwundet' (severely wounded) or 'leichtverwundet' (lightly wounded). Your ability to use the word in complex sentence structures, including relative clauses and participle constructions, should be well-developed. For example: 'Der im Kampf schwer verwundete Soldat wurde sofort operiert.' You also recognize the nuance in metaphorical usage, such as 'eine verwundete Ehre' (a wounded honor), and can explain why 'verwundet' is more appropriate here than 'verletzt'.

At the C1 level, you have a deep appreciation for the stylistic nuances of 'verwundet'. You can use it to create specific atmospheres in your writing, whether you are writing a creative story or a formal report. You understand its etymological connection to 'die Wunde' and 'wund' and can use this knowledge to understand rare or archaic variations in literature. You are also aware of the legal and medical implications of the term in specific professional contexts. In high-level discussions about psychology or philosophy, you might use 'verwundet' to describe existential states or deep-seated collective traumas. Your command of the word is such that you can use it ironically or with subtle shades of meaning that a lower-level learner might miss. You are also proficient in using the nominalized form in complex grammatical structures.

At the C2 level, 'verwundet' is just one of many tools in your vast linguistic repertoire. You use it with the ease of a native speaker, perfectly matching the register of your audience. You can analyze its use in classical German poetry (like Goethe or Schiller) and discuss how its connotations have shifted over the centuries. You might explore the word's role in the 'Trümmerliteratur' (rubble literature) post-WWII, where physical and metaphorical 'Verwundung' was a central theme. Your mastery includes an intuitive grasp of all idiomatic and metaphorical extensions. You can effortlessly switch between 'verwundet', 'verletzt', 'lädiert', and 'blessiert' to achieve the exact rhetorical effect you desire. At this level, you are not just using the word; you are playing with its history and its emotional resonance.

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

verwundet in 30 Seconds

Verwundet means 'wounded' and specifically refers to injuries with open wounds.
It is often used in military, historical, or formal contexts.
Metaphorically, it describes deep emotional pain or 'wounded' pride.
It is more specific and serious than the general term 'verletzt'.

The German word verwundet is a nuanced adjective and past participle that primarily translates to 'wounded' or 'injured' in English. While it shares semantic space with the more common word verletzt, verwundet specifically implies a physical wound—often one where the skin is broken or an external force has caused a visible injury. Historically and contextually, it is frequently associated with military contexts, historical narratives, or poetic descriptions of emotional pain. In modern everyday German, you might hear it less often than verletzt for a minor scrape, but it remains the standard term for describing casualties in conflicts or deep, metaphorical psychological trauma.

Physical Injury: Refers to a bodily injury where tissue is damaged, typically by a weapon, an accident, or a sharp object. It suggests a certain level of severity beyond a simple bruise.

Der Soldat kehrte verwundet aus dem Krieg zurück.

Emotional State: Used metaphorically to describe a person who has been deeply hurt by words, betrayal, or rejection. This usage is common in literature and formal speech.

Sie fühlte sich durch seine harten Worte tief verwundet.

Understanding the gravity of verwundet is key for A2 learners. While you might say 'Ich bin verletzt' after falling off a bike, saying 'Ich bin verwundet' might sound overly dramatic unless there is significant bleeding or a deep cut. It carries a weight of 'battle'—whether that battle is on a literal field or an emotional one. In news reports about accidents or conflicts, you will see the noun form die Verwundeten (the wounded) used to categorize those who survived but suffered bodily harm. This distinction helps paint a clearer picture of the situation than the broader term Verletzte.

Es gab viele verwundete Tiere nach dem Waldbrand.

Grammatical Role: It functions as an adjective and follows standard German declension rules when placed before a noun. It is also the past participle of the verb 'verwunden'.

The application of verwundet depends heavily on whether you are using it predicatively (after a verb like 'sein' or 'werden') or attributively (before a noun). As a learner, mastering these two structures will allow you to describe scenes with precision. When used predicatively, it describes the state of a person or animal. For example, 'Er ist verwundet' (He is wounded). In this position, the word does not change its ending regardless of the gender or number of the subject. However, when used attributively, it must agree with the noun's gender, number, and case.

Predicative Usage: Used with linking verbs to describe a state. Example: 'Die Seele ist verwundet' (The soul is wounded).

Nach dem Kampf war der Löwe schwer verwundet.

Attributive Usage: Used before a noun, requiring case endings. Example: 'Ein verwundeter Krieger' (A wounded warrior).

Der Arzt half dem verwundeten Mann sofort.

In passive constructions, verwundet serves as the past participle of the verb verwunden. You will often see it with the auxiliary verb werden to describe the action of being injured. 'Er wurde im Bein verwundet' (He was wounded in the leg). This is particularly common in historical texts or news reporting. Note that the preposition an (followed by the dative) or in (followed by the dative) is typically used to specify the location of the wound on the body.

Sie wurde an der Hand verwundet.

Sein Stolz war tief verwundet.

While verwundet might not be the word you use every day to describe a paper cut, it occupies a specific and important space in the German language. You will encounter it most frequently in the following contexts: News and Journalism, Literature and Poetry, and Historical Documentation. In news broadcasts, especially those covering international conflicts or serious accidents involving weapons, the term Verwundete is the standard way to refer to victims who have sustained injuries but are still alive. It sounds more professional and precise than the more general Verletzte in these high-stakes scenarios.

News Reports: Used to describe casualties in military actions or violent crimes. 'Zwei Polizisten wurden bei dem Einsatz verwundet.'

Die Nachrichten sprachen von vielen verwundeten Zivilisten.

In literature, verwundet is a favorite of authors because of its evocative power. It suggests a vulnerability that verletzt does not always capture. A 'verwundetes Herz' (wounded heart) sounds more tragic and permanent than a 'verletztes Herz'. You will find it in classic German novels by authors like Thomas Mann or Remarque (especially 'Im Westen nichts Neues'), where the physical and psychological wounds of war are a central theme. Even in modern pop music or cinema, it is used to describe protagonists who carry the scars of their past.

In dem Lied geht es um eine verwundete Seele.

Fantasy and Gaming: In video games or tabletop RPGs translated into German, characters are often 'verwundet' when their health points are low.

The most frequent mistake English speakers make when using verwundet is overusing it in place of verletzt. Because 'wounded' and 'injured' are often interchangeable in English, learners assume the same applies to German. However, verwundet implies a specific type of injury—a 'Wunde' (wound). If you say 'Ich bin verwundet' after stubbing your toe or spraining your wrist, a native speaker will find it strange or perhaps think you are joking about the severity. For internal injuries, broken bones, or general accidents, always default to verletzt.

Confusion with 'Verletzt': Verletzt is the 'umbrella' term. Verwundet is a specific sub-type. Don't use 'verwundet' for a broken arm.

Falsch: Ich habe mir den Knöchel verwundet. (Correct: verletzt)

Another common error is related to adjective endings. Because verwundet ends in '-et', learners sometimes forget to add the necessary declension endings when it precedes a noun. For example, 'the wounded soldier' must be 'der verwundete Soldat'. The '-e' at the end is crucial for grammatical correctness. Similarly, in the plural, it becomes 'die verwundeten Soldaten'. Forgetting these endings is a classic A2-level mistake that can make your German sound 'broken'.

Richtig: Ein verwundeter Hund lief über die Straße.

Metaphorical Misuse: While 'verwundet' can be emotional, using it for mild feelings like being 'annoyed' is incorrect. It must be a 'deep' hurt.

To expand your vocabulary, it is helpful to compare verwundet with its synonyms and related terms. The most important distinction is with verletzt, but there are other words like lädiert, angeschlagen, and blessiert that offer different shades of meaning. By choosing the right word, you can express exactly how someone was hurt and the context of the injury. For example, lädiert is often used for objects or for a person who looks a bit 'battered' after a long night or a minor scuffle.

Verletzt vs. Verwundet

Verletzt: General term for any injury (broken bone, bruise, cut). Most common.

Verwundet: Specific to open wounds, usually from a weapon or serious trauma.

Er ist am Kopf verletzt, aber nicht lebensgefährlich verwundet.

Another interesting alternative is blessiert. This word comes from French and is somewhat old-fashioned or regional (common in Switzerland or in sports contexts). It sounds slightly more sophisticated or technical. On the other hand, angeschlagen is used when someone is not fully healthy—perhaps they have a cold or a minor injury that prevents them from performing at 100%. If a boxer is 'angeschlagen', he is dizzy but not necessarily 'verwundet' in the sense of having an open cut.

Angeschlagen: Used for someone who is 'shaken up' or slightly ill/injured. 'Er geht angeschlagen in das Spiel.'

Meine Füße sind vom Wandern ganz wund.

How Formal Is It?

Formal

"Der Bericht listet alle verwundeten Personen auf."

Neutral

"Er ist am Arm verwundet."

Informal

"Guck mal, der Vogel ist verwundet."

Child friendly

"Das arme Häschen ist verwundet, wir müssen ihm helfen."

Slang

"Digger, dein Ego ist echt verwundet."

Fun Fact

The prefix 'ver-' often indicates a change of state or a process that is completed, turning the root 'Wunde' into an action or its result.

Pronunciation Guide

UK /fɛɐ̯ˈvʊndət/

US /fɛrˈvʊndət/

The stress is on the second syllable: ver-WUN-det.

Rhymes With

begründet entmündet verbündet gezündet verkündet mündet entbündet ergründet

Common Errors

Pronouncing the 'v' like an English 'v' (it should be an 'f').
Stress on the first syllable.
Over-pronouncing the final 't'.
Confusing the 'u' sound with 'ü'.
Merging the 'er' sound too much.

Difficulty Rating

Reading 2/5

Easy to recognize if you know the English word 'wound'.

Writing 3/5

Requires knowledge of adjective endings.

Speaking 3/5

Pronunciation of 'v' as 'f' is a common hurdle.

Listening 2/5

Clear pronunciation in most contexts.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

die Wunde verletzt sein werden der Körper

Learn Next

verwundbar die Heilung die Narbe das Trauma blessiert

Advanced

die Versehrtheit traumatisiert lädiert die Blessur die Läsion

Grammar to Know

Adjective Declension

ein verwundet-er Mann, eine verwundet-e Frau, das verwundet-e Kind

Passive Voice (Vorgangspassiv)

Er wird verwundet. (He is being wounded.)

Passive Voice (Zustandspassiv)

Er ist verwundet. (He is wounded - state.)

Nominalization of Adjectives

Der Verwundete (The wounded man)

Prepositions with Dative

verwundet an der Hand

Examples by Level

Der Hund ist verwundet.

The dog is wounded.

Simple predicative use with 'sein'.

Bist du verwundet?

Are you wounded?

Question form.

Er ist nicht verwundet.

He is not wounded.

Negation with 'nicht'.

Das Pferd ist am Bein verwundet.

The horse is wounded on the leg.

Using 'am' (an dem) for location.

Ich sehe ein verwundetes Tier.

I see a wounded animal.

Attributive use, neuter accusative ending '-es'.

Der Vogel ist verwundet.

The bird is wounded.

Subject-verb agreement.

Hilfe, er ist verwundet!

Help, he is wounded!

Exclamatory use.

Ist das ein verwundeter Mann?

Is that a wounded man?

Attributive use, masculine nominative ending '-er'.

Viele Soldaten waren im Krieg verwundet.

Many soldiers were wounded in the war.

Plural subject with past tense 'waren'.

Der Arzt hilft den verwundeten Menschen.

The doctor helps the wounded people.

Dative plural ending '-en'.

Sie wurde bei dem Unfall verwundet.

She was wounded in the accident.

Passive voice with 'wurde'.

Mein Herz ist tief verwundet.

My heart is deeply wounded.

Metaphorical usage with adverb 'tief'.

Wir fanden eine verwundete Katze im Garten.

We found a wounded cat in the garden.

Feminine accusative ending '-e'.

Warum ist er so schwer verwundet?

Why is he so severely wounded?

Using 'schwer' as an intensifier.

Die verwundeten Kinder weinten.

The wounded children were crying.

Attributive plural nominative.

Er hatte eine verwundete Hand.

He had a wounded hand.

Attributive feminine accusative.

Trotz seiner Verwundung kämpfte er weiter.

Despite his wound, he continued to fight.

Using the related noun 'Verwundung'.

Die Sanitäter brachten die Verwundeten ins Krankenhaus.

The paramedics brought the wounded to the hospital.

Nominalized adjective 'die Verwundeten'.

Er fühlte sich durch die Kritik tief verwundet.

He felt deeply wounded by the criticism.

Metaphorical use in a social context.

Das Tier war so schwer verwundet, dass es starb.

The animal was so severely wounded that it died.

Consecutive clause with 'so... dass'.

Man darf einen verwundeten Stolz nicht unterschätzen.

One must not underestimate a wounded pride.

Abstract noun with attributive adjective.

Sie wurde an der Schulter von einer Kugel verwundet.

She was wounded in the shoulder by a bullet.

Passive voice with agent 'von'.

Die verwundete Seele braucht Zeit zum Heilen.

The wounded soul needs time to heal.

Poetic/Psychological usage.

Er sah den verwundeten Gegner mit Mitleid an.

He looked at the wounded opponent with pity.

Masculine accusative ending '-en'.

Die Zahl der Verwundeten stieg stündlich an.

The number of wounded increased hourly.

Genitive plural of the nominalized adjective.

Er war an Leib und Seele verwundet.

He was wounded in body and soul.

Idiomatic expression 'an Leib und Seele'.

Die schwerverwundeten Soldaten wurden zuerst evakuiert.

The severely wounded soldiers were evacuated first.

Compound adjective 'schwerverwundet'.

Ihre Worte hatten ihn tiefer verwundet als jede Waffe.

Her words had wounded him more deeply than any weapon.

Comparative structure.

Er pflegte die verwundeten Krieger mit großer Hingabe.

He tended to the wounded warriors with great devotion.

Preterite tense with attributive adjective.

Das Gesetz schützt auch verwundete Zivilisten in Konfliktzonen.

The law also protects wounded civilians in conflict zones.

Formal/Legal context.

Tief verwundet zog er sich aus der Öffentlichkeit zurück.

Deeply wounded, he withdrew from public life.

Adjectival phrase at the start of a sentence.

Es ist schwer, eine verwundete Eitelkeit zu heilen.

It is difficult to heal a wounded vanity.

Abstract metaphorical use.

Die psychologischen Folgen für die Verwundeten sind oft verheerend.

The psychological consequences for the wounded are often devastating.

Complex noun phrase with nominalized adjective.

In seinem Roman thematisiert er das Schicksal der verwundeten Rückkehrer.

In his novel, he addresses the fate of the wounded returnees.

Literary analysis context.

Er war so tief in seinem Innersten verwundet, dass er verstummte.

He was so deeply wounded in his innermost being that he fell silent.

Spiritual/Internal focus.

Die verwundete Natur erholt sich nur langsam von der Katastrophe.

Wounded nature recovers only slowly from the catastrophe.

Personification of nature.

Sein Schweigen war das Zeichen eines verwundeten Geistes.

His silence was the sign of a wounded spirit.

Genitive case 'eines verwundeten Geistes'.

Die Sanitätsstation war überfüllt mit Schwer- und Leichtverwundeten.

The medical station was overcrowded with the severely and lightly wounded.

Elliptical compound formation.

Er trug den Schmerz einer verwundeten Liebe ein Leben lang mit sich.

He carried the pain of a wounded love with him for a lifetime.

Poetic genitive construction.

Das politische System ist durch die Korruptionsskandale schwer verwundet.

The political system is severely wounded by the corruption scandals.

Institutional metaphor.

Die Ikonografie des verwundeten Heiligen ist ein zentrales Motiv der Barockkunst.

The iconography of the wounded saint is a central motif of Baroque art.

Academic/Art history context.

Er analysierte die verwundete Psyche der Nachkriegsgeneration.

He analyzed the wounded psyche of the post-war generation.

Sociological/Historical analysis.

Die Worte wirkten wie Salz in einer ohnehin schon verwundeten Stelle.

The words acted like salt in an already wounded spot.

Complex idiom 'Salz in die Wunde streuen' variation.

Es bedarf einer kollektiven Anstrengung, um die verwundete Gesellschaft zu versöhnen.

It requires a collective effort to reconcile the wounded society.

High-level political discourse.

Die Lyrik jener Zeit ist durchdrungen vom Bild des verwundeten Ichs.

The poetry of that time is permeated by the image of the wounded self.

Literary criticism.

Trotz der verwundeten Strukturen blieb der Kern der Organisation intakt.

Despite the wounded structures, the core of the organization remained intact.

Abstract organizational metaphor.

Die verwundete Ästhetik seiner Werke provoziert bis heute.

The wounded aesthetic of his works continues to provoke today.

Aesthetic theory.

In der Tiefe seiner verwundeten Existenz fand er eine neue Form der Wahrheit.

In the depth of his wounded existence, he found a new form of truth.

Existentialist phrasing.

Common Collocations

schwer verwundet

leicht verwundet

tief verwundet

tödlich verwundet

am Bein verwundet

im Gesicht verwundet

an der Ehre verwundet

die Zahl der Verwundeten

verwundete Seele

verwundeter Stolz

Common Phrases

Er ist verwundet.

— He is injured (specifically with a wound).

Ruf einen Arzt, er ist verwundet!

Die Verwundeten versorgen.

— To take care of/treat the wounded.

Die Sanitäter begannen, die Verwundeten zu versorgen.

An der Seele verwundet sein.

— To be emotionally scarred or hurt.

Nach dem Verlust war er an der Seele verwundet.

Schwer verwundet im Krankenhaus liegen.

— To be in the hospital with severe injuries.

Er liegt nach dem Unfall schwer verwundet im Krankenhaus.

Ein verwundetes Tier.

— A wounded animal (often implies danger or pity).

Ein verwundetes Tier kann gefährlich sein.

Vom Schicksal verwundet.

— Hurt by fate or life's circumstances.

Er fühlte sich vom Schicksal verwundet.

Verwundet und allein.

— Injured and isolated.

Der Wanderer war verwundet und allein im Wald.

Durch Worte verwundet.

— Hurt by things someone said.

Manchmal wird man mehr durch Worte als durch Taten verwundet.

Ein verwundeter Krieger.

— A wounded warrior (common in literature/games).

Der verwundete Krieger ruhte sich am Feuer aus.

Die Wunde ist noch frisch.

— The wound is still fresh (often used metaphorically).

Sei vorsichtig, die Wunde ist noch frisch.

Often Confused With

verwundet vs verletzt

General term for injured. Verwundet is specific to wounds.

verwundet vs bewundert

Means 'admired'. Sounds similar but unrelated.

verwundet vs gewunden

Means 'twisted' or 'wound' (like a snake or wire).

Idioms & Expressions

"Salz in die Wunde streuen"

— To make a bad situation even worse or more painful.

Deine Kritik streut nur Salz in die Wunde.

informal/common

"Alte Wunden aufreißen"

— To bring up painful memories from the past.

Wir sollten diese alten Wunden nicht wieder aufreißen.

neutral

"Die Zeit heilt alle Wunden"

— Time heals all wounds (emotional pain fades over time).

Hab Geduld, die Zeit heilt alle Wunden.

proverb

"Wunden lecken"

— To recover from a defeat or setback.

Nach der Wahlniederlage musste die Partei erst einmal ihre Wunden lecken.

figurative

"Eine offene Wunde sein"

— To be a topic or issue that still causes pain.

Das Thema ist für ihn immer noch eine offene Wunde.

metaphorical

"Sich wund liegen"

— To get bedsores from lying too long.

Der Patient darf sich nicht wund liegen.

medical

"Sich die Finger wund schreiben"

— To write so much that one's fingers hurt.

Ich habe mir die Finger wund geschrieben für diese Prüfung.

informal

"An einem wunden Punkt treffen"

— To hit a sore spot (to mention something sensitive).

Mit dieser Bemerkung hast du ihn an einem wunden Punkt getroffen.

common

"Heile, heile Segen"

— A nursery rhyme for children when they get hurt.

Heile, heile Segen, drei Tage Regen...

child-friendly

"Wund und matt"

— Sore and exhausted (literary).

Er kam wund und matt nach Hause.

literary

Easily Confused

verwundet vs verletzt

Both mean 'injured'.

'Verletzt' is the general term for any injury (bruise, bone break). 'Verwundet' specifically involves a 'Wunde' (cut, open injury).

Ich habe mir den Arm gebrochen (verletzt), aber ich bin nicht verwundet.

verwundet vs bewundert

Similar sound (prefix + root).

'Bewundert' is from 'bewundern' (to admire). 'Verwundet' is from 'verwunden' (to wound).

Ich bewundere den verwundeten Helden.

verwundet vs gewunden

English speakers think of 'wound' (to wrap).

'Gewunden' is the past participle of 'winden' (to wind/twist).

Der Pfad war gewunden.

verwundet vs wund

Same root.

'Wund' usually refers to sore skin (chafing), while 'verwundet' refers to a more serious injury.

Meine Füße sind wund, aber mein Arm ist verwundet.

verwundet vs wunder

Similar root appearance.

'Wunder' means 'miracle'.

Es ist ein Wunder, dass er nicht verwundet wurde.

Sentence Patterns

Subject + ist + verwundet.

Der Vogel ist verwundet.

Subject + wurde + [Location] + verwundet.

Er wurde am Arm verwundet.

Ein/Der + verwundete(r/s) + Noun + Verb...

Ein verwundeter Hund braucht Hilfe.

Subject + fühlt sich + [Adverb] + verwundet.

Sie fühlt sich tief verwundet.

Die Zahl der + Verwundeten + Verb...

Die Zahl der Verwundeten steigt.

Obwohl + Subject + verwundet ist, + Verb...

Obwohl er verwundet ist, lächelt er.

Das Bild des + verwundeten + Noun...

Das Bild des verwundeten Helden ist alt.

Inmitten der + [Adjective] + Verwundeten...

Inmitten der schwer Verwundeten blieb er ruhig.

Word Family

Nouns

Verbs

Adjectives

How to Use It

frequency

Common in news and literature, rare in casual talk about minor injuries.

Common Mistakes

Ich habe mir den Fuß verwundet. → Ich habe mich am Fuß verletzt.
Unless you have a specific open wound on your foot, 'verletzt' is more natural for general pain or injury.
Der verwundet Soldat. → Der verwundete Soldat.
Missing the adjective ending '-e' for a masculine nominative noun with a definite article.
Er ist sehr verwundet. → Er ist schwer verwundet.
While 'sehr' is grammatically okay, 'schwer' is the standard collocation for serious injuries.
Das Auto ist verwundet. → Das Auto ist beschädigt.
'Verwundet' is only for living beings (humans and animals).
Ich bin verwundet (after a small scratch). → Ich habe einen Kratzer.
'Verwundet' sounds too dramatic for a minor scratch.

Tips

Precision Matters

Use 'verwundet' when you want to emphasize the existence of a physical wound. It adds detail to your storytelling.

Check Your Endings

Remember the adjective endings: 'ein verwundeter Mann' but 'der verwundete Mann'. This is a key A2/B1 skill.

Metaphorical Power

Don't be afraid to use it for deep emotional pain. It sounds more poetic than 'traurig' or 'verletzt'.

The 'V' Sound

Always pronounce the 'V' in 'verwundet' like an 'F'. Practice saying 'F-er-wun-det'.

News Context

When listening to German news, 'die Verwundeten' is the standard term for casualties in conflict zones.

Verletzt vs Verwundet

If in doubt, use 'verletzt'. It is never wrong, whereas 'verwundet' can be too specific for some situations.

Historical Reading

If you read historical novels, this word will appear constantly. It's essential for understanding that genre.

Association

Associate 'verwundet' with 'Wunde' (wound). If there is a wound, use verwundet.

Adverb Pairs

Pair it with 'schwer' (severely) or 'leicht' (lightly) to give more information about the injury.

Passive Voice

Pay attention to 'wurde verwundet' in stories; it tells you something happened to the character in the past.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of a 'Wound' (English) and add 'ver-' (German prefix for change). Ver-Wound-et = Wounded.

Visual Association

Imagine a soldier in a 'V' shape (for 'verwundet') holding a bandage to a wound.

Word Web

Wunde Soldat Blut Schmerz Heilung Krieg Herz Arzt

Challenge

Try to use 'verwundet' in a sentence about a character in your favorite book or movie today.

Word Origin

From Middle High German 'verwunden', derived from 'wunde'.

Original meaning: To inflict a wound or to cause bodily harm.

Germanic (related to Old English 'wundian' and English 'wound').

Cultural Context

Be careful when using this word in casual settings; it can sound overly dramatic or clinical depending on the context.

English speakers often use 'hurt' or 'injured' generically. In German, 'verwundet' is more specific than 'verletzt'.

Im Westen nichts Neues (All Quiet on the Western Front) The 'Wounded Knee' massacre is translated as 'Massaker am Wounded Knee' but the concept of 'verwundet' is central. Songs by German artists like Herbert Grönemeyer often use metaphorical 'Verwundung'.

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

War and Conflict

im Kampf verwundet
die Verwundeten bergen
schwer verwundete Soldaten
Kriegsverwundete

Nature and Animals

ein verwundetes Reh
das Tier war verwundet
ein verwundeter Flügel
verwundete Natur

Emotions

tief verwundet sein
verwundete Gefühle
ein verwundetes Herz
an der Ehre verwundet

Medical/First Aid

die Wunde reinigen
den Verwundeten helfen
eine verwundete Stelle
Verwundungen versorgen

Literature/Fantasy

der verwundete Held
tödlich verwundet sinken
eine verwundete Seele
von einem Pfeil verwundet

Conversation Starters

"Was machst du, wenn du ein verwundetes Tier im Wald findest?"

"Glaubst du, dass die Zeit wirklich alle verwundeten Herzen heilt?"

"Hast du schon einmal einen Film gesehen, in dem der Held schwer verwundet war?"

"Wie reagieren Menschen meistens, wenn sie an ihrem Stolz verwundet werden?"

"Warum ist es wichtig, zwischen 'verletzt' und 'verwundet' zu unterscheiden?"

Journal Prompts

Schreibe über eine Situation, in der du dich emotional verwundet gefühlt hast. Wie bist du damit umgegangen?

Beschreibe ein Bild eines verwundeten Tieres. Welche Gefühle löst es bei dir aus?

Stell dir vor, du bist ein Sanitäter im Einsatz. Wie beschreibst du die Verwundeten?

Reflektiere über den Satz: 'Worte können tiefer verwunden als Schwerter.'

Schreibe eine kurze Geschichte über einen verwundeten Wanderer, der Hilfe findet.

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

Usually no. A broken leg is an internal injury, so 'verletzt' is the correct term. Use 'verwundet' if there is an open wound accompanying the break.

No, it can be used for anyone with a wound, including animals or civilians in accidents, though it is very common in military contexts.

'Wund' usually describes skin that is sore or raw from rubbing (like blisters), while 'verwundet' describes a deeper injury or a specific wound.

You can say 'seelisch verwundet' or 'psychisch verwundet', though 'traumatisiert' is also very common.

It can be both. It is the past participle of the verb 'verwunden', but it is very frequently used as an adjective.

No, for objects like cars, use 'beschädigt' (damaged) or 'kaputt' (broken).

The most direct opposite is 'unverletzt' (uninjured) or 'unversehrt' (intact).

Usually, yes, as it implies an open wound, but in metaphorical use (like 'wounded pride'), there is obviously no blood.

Both are used. 'Verwundet an der Hand' (on the hand) is common, as is 'verwundet im Gesicht' (in the face).

It is less common than 'verletzt'. You will hear it more in news, books, and movies than at the grocery store.