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B1 adjective #9,000 الأكثر شيوعاً 9 دقيقة للقراءة

zerstritten

الأكثر شيوعاً #9,000

تدرّب عليها أمثلة ملاحظات ونصائح zerstritten في 30 ثانية

الشرح zerstritten in your Level:

At the A1 level, 'zerstritten' is a bit advanced, but you can understand it through the word 'Streit' (argument). Imagine two friends who had a very big fight and now they do not talk to each other. They are 'zerstritten'. In simple German, you could say: 'Sie haben viel Streit. Sie sprechen nicht mehr zusammen.' This word helps you describe family problems in a basic way. You might hear it when someone explains why they are sad about a friend. Even though it is a B1 word, knowing the prefix 'zer-' (which means something is broken) and the word 'Streit' makes it easier. You can use it like this: 'Meine Freunde sind zerstritten.' This is a very clear way to say there is a big problem between them. It is much stronger than just saying 'Sie sind böse' (They are angry). It means the friendship is currently broken. Learning this word early helps you understand that German uses prefixes to change the meaning of words. 'Streiten' is the action, 'zerstritten' is the broken state after the action. Always remember to use it with 'sein' (to be). For example, 'Wir sind zerstritten.' It is a useful word for talking about people you know.

سجّل مجاناً لقراءة الشرح الكامل

At the A2 level, you are starting to talk more about relationships and social situations. 'Zerstritten' is a very useful adjective to describe a situation where people are no longer friends or on good terms. You should know that it comes from the verb 'sich streiten' (to argue). When you use 'zerstritten', you are describing the result of many arguments. For example, if two colleagues at work had a big fight and now they cannot work together, they are 'zerstritten'. You often use the preposition 'mit' plus the Dative case. 'Ich bin mit meinem Bruder zerstritten.' This means you and your brother had a big fight and you are not talking now. It is important to distinguish this from 'Ich habe gestritten', which just means 'I argued'. 'Zerstritten' is a state, like 'kaputt' (broken). If a relationship is 'zerstritten', it is broken. You will see this word in simple stories or news about famous people. It is a good word to increase your vocabulary about emotions and social life. You can also use adverbs to make it stronger, like 'sehr zerstritten'. This shows that the problem is very big. In A2, you should focus on the structure 'sein + mit + Dative + zerstritten'. It is a very common pattern in German conversation.

سجّل مجاناً لقراءة الشرح الكامل

At the B1 level, 'zerstritten' is a key word for discussing social conflicts, family dynamics, and political news. You should understand that the prefix 'zer-' implies the destruction of a relationship. It is not just a disagreement; it is an estrangement. At this level, you are expected to use it correctly in various contexts. For example, you might describe a 'zerstrittene Familie' in a writing task about social issues. You should also be able to use the reflexive verb form 'sich mit jemandem zerstreiten' to describe the process of falling out. 'Sie haben sich wegen des Geldes zerstritten.' This shows how the conflict started. The adjective 'zerstritten' then describes the state that follows. You will often encounter this word in news reports about the 'zerstrittene Regierung' (the divided government). It conveys a sense of paralysis and lack of cooperation. In B1, you should also start to notice synonyms like 'verkracht' (informal) or 'uneinig' (more formal). Understanding the nuance of 'zerstritten' helps you express complex social situations more precisely. It is a very common word in German because it concisely describes a very common human situation: a broken relationship due to conflict. Make sure you use the correct auxiliary verb 'sein' when using it as an adjective.

At the B2 level, you should be able to use 'zerstritten' and its derivatives with high precision. You understand that 'zerstritten' is a 'Zustandspartizip' (statal passive) that functions as an adjective. You can use it to describe abstract entities like 'zerstrittene Fraktionen' (divided factions) or 'zerstrittene Interessengruppen'. At this level, you should also be familiar with the noun 'das Zerwürfnis', which is a more formal way to describe the rift itself. You can differentiate between being 'zerstritten' and being 'entfremdet'. While 'zerstritten' implies a history of active conflict, 'entfremdet' suggests a loss of connection that might be silent. You can use 'zerstritten' in formal debates to criticize a lack of unity: 'Eine zerstrittene Führung kann keine klaren Entscheidungen treffen.' You are also expected to use more sophisticated adverbs like 'hoffnungslos', 'unversöhnlich', or 'tiefgreifend' to modify 'zerstritten'. Your understanding of the prefix 'zer-' should allow you to see the linguistic connection to other words of destruction, giving your vocabulary a more structural depth. In B2 exams, this word is very useful for summarizing texts about social problems or historical conflicts. It is a standard part of the vocabulary for anyone following German politics or reading contemporary literature.

سجّل مجاناً لقراءة الشرح الكامل

At the C1 level, 'zerstritten' is a word you use with stylistic awareness. You recognize its impact in different registers. You might use it in a psychological analysis of a character in a novel, discussing the 'zerstrittene Psyche' or the 'zerstrittene Herkunft'. You understand that the word carries a certain finality and emotional weight. You can also use it metaphorically to describe a person who is 'mit sich selbst zerstritten' (at odds with oneself), indicating internal conflict and lack of peace. In academic or journalistic writing, you might use 'zerstritten' to describe the state of international relations or diplomatic rifts. You are aware of the historical weight of the term, such as in the context of the 'zerstrittene deutsche Kleinstaaterei' before the unification. You can also employ the verb 'zerstreiten' in its rarer non-reflexive uses or in complex passive constructions. Your vocabulary includes near-synonyms like 'entzweit', which is more poetic and formal, or 'im Clinch liegen', which is more idiomatic and visual. At C1, you use 'zerstritten' to create a specific atmosphere in your writing, signaling a state of irreparable or at least very difficult-to-fix disharmony. You are also sensitive to the social implications of the word—how it can be used to stigmatize a group or describe a tragic loss of social capital.

سجّل مجاناً لقراءة الشرح الكامل

At the C2 level, your mastery of 'zerstritten' involves a deep appreciation of its etymological roots and its potential for rhetorical use. You can analyze how the word functions within the broader system of German 'zer-' verbs and how it contributes to the language's ability to describe destructive processes. You might use the term in a philosophical discourse on the nature of conflict and resolution, perhaps referencing Hegelian dialectics where a 'zerstrittener Zustand' is a necessary stage of development. You are comfortable using the word in highly sophisticated literary contexts, perhaps as an epithet for a historical era or a specific social class. You can play with the word's intensity, using it ironically or with understated gravity. You understand the subtle differences between 'zerstritten', 'disputabel', and 'kontrovers', choosing 'zerstritten' when the focus is on the human or structural breakdown rather than the subject of the disagreement. Your use of 'zerstritten' is flawless, and you can even coin new, creative compounds or use it in complex metaphorical frameworks. For a C2 speaker, 'zerstritten' is not just a vocabulary item but a tool for nuanced social and psychological mapping. You might discuss the 'zerstrittene Identität' of modern societies or the 'zerstrittene Geschichte' of a nation with the ease of a native scholar. This word represents the German language's precision in naming the various states of human discord.

سجّل مجاناً لقراءة الشرح الكامل

تدرّب عليها أمثلة ملاحظات ونصائح

zerstritten في 30 ثانية

Describes a deep, often permanent rift in a relationship.
Comes from 'zer-' (destruction) and 'streiten' (to argue).
Used with 'sein' and often the preposition 'mit'.
Common in family, political, and legal contexts.

The German adjective zerstritten is a powerful word that describes a specific state of human relationships. It goes far beyond a simple disagreement or a momentary lapse in communication. When two people, a family, or even a political party are described as zerstritten, it implies a deep, often long-standing rift caused by severe arguments. The word is the past participle of the reflexive verb sich zerstreiten, where the prefix zer- indicates destruction, dissolution, or falling apart. Just as zerbrechen means to break into pieces, zerstritten suggests that the bond of harmony has been shattered by conflict.

Emotional Weight: It carries a heavy emotional burden, suggesting that the parties involved are no longer on speaking terms or that their interactions are defined by hostility rather than cooperation.

Die beiden Brüder sind seit dem Tod ihres Vaters völlig zerstritten.

This word is ubiquitous in German social discourse, appearing in contexts ranging from messy divorces to internal party struggles in the Bundestag. It is the go-to term for describing 'estranged' parties who have reached a point of no return in their mutual animosity. In everyday life, you might use it to explain why you didn't invite a certain relative to a wedding or why a business partnership dissolved. It is a state of being, not an action, which is why it is almost always paired with the verb sein (to be).

Social Context: In German culture, where directness is valued, being 'zerstritten' is a serious admission of a failed social contract between individuals.

Die Koalition wirkt nach den letzten Verhandlungen extrem zerstritten.

Underneath the surface, the word implies a history of attempts at reconciliation that have failed, leading to a status quo of estrangement. It is rarely used for minor tiffs between children; it is reserved for the adult world of broken promises and irreconcilable differences.

Linguistic Nuance: Unlike 'böse sein' (to be angry), 'zerstritten' describes the structural damage to the relationship itself.

Using zerstritten correctly requires understanding its grammatical behavior as an adjective describing a state. The most common construction is mit jemandem zerstritten sein (to be estranged from someone). Because it describes a mutual state, it is often used with plural subjects: Wir sind zerstritten (We are estranged). If you want to specify the intensity, German speakers frequently add adverbs like völlig (completely), tief (deeply), or hoffnungslos (hopelessly).

Grammar Rule: Always use the dative case after the preposition 'mit' when indicating the person one is estranged from.

Er ist seit Jahren mit seiner gesamten Verwandtschaft zerstritten.

Another common usage is as an attributive adjective before a noun, such as eine zerstrittene Familie (a quarreling/broken family) or die zerstrittenen Parteien (the feuding parties). In these cases, the adjective must decline according to the gender, number, and case of the noun. For example, in the accusative case: Ich möchte keine zerstrittene Familie haben.

Word Order: In a standard main clause, 'zerstritten' usually appears at the end of the sentence when used with 'sein'.

Nach dem Erbschaftsstreit waren die Geschwister hoffnungslos zerstritten.

It is also important to note the difference between the adjective zerstritten and the past tense of streiten (to argue). If you say 'Wir haben gestritten', you mean 'We argued'. If you say 'Wir sind zerstritten', you mean 'We are currently in a state of estrangement'. The latter describes the lasting damage, not the act of arguing itself.

Prepositional Usage: When using 'mit', the person following is the one you are no longer on good terms with: 'Ich bin mit ihm zerstritten'.

Es ist traurig zu sehen, wie zerstritten diese einstigen Freunde nun sind.

Professionals in mediation or law often use this word to describe the starting point of their work. A 'zerstrittenes Paar' (an estranged couple) requires a different approach than one that is simply having a disagreement. The word signals a hardening of fronts.

You will encounter zerstritten frequently in German media, particularly in political reporting and human interest stories. In politics, journalists often describe a governing coalition as intern zerstritten when the member parties cannot agree on a common course of action and openly criticize each other. This is a common trope in German news broadcasts like the Tagesschau or in weekly magazines like Der Spiegel.

Political Discourse: It is used to describe parties that are paralyzed by internal factions and disagreements.

Die Opposition kritisierte die zerstrittene Regierung scharf.

In the legal realm, specifically in family law, the term appears in discussions about inheritance (Erbschaftsstreit). When heirs cannot agree on how to split an estate, they are often labeled as zerstrittene Erben. This specific context highlights the finality of the word; the disagreement has reached a level where legal intervention is necessary. In literature and film, zerstritten is a classic plot device. A story might begin with a zerstrittene Familie that is forced to come together due to an external event, leading to a narrative arc of reconciliation.

Cultural Archetype: The 'zerstrittene Brüder' (estranged brothers) is a common motif in German storytelling, from fairy tales to modern dramas.

In dem Film geht es um zwei zerstrittene Schwestern, die sich nach Jahren wiedersehen.

In everyday conversation, Germans use it to explain social dynamics with a touch of gravity. If you ask why someone isn't visiting their parents for Christmas, the answer 'Sie sind zerstritten' conveys a complete and sufficient explanation that usually discourages further prying into the details of the conflict.

Economic Context: Business partners who have falling outs are often described as 'zerstritten' in financial news.

Das Unternehmen litt unter der zerstrittenen Führungsebene.

One of the most frequent errors English speakers make when using zerstritten is confusing it with the simple past participle of 'streiten' (to argue), which is 'gestritten'. While 'Wir haben gestritten' means 'We had an argument' (an event in the past), 'Wir sind zerstritten' means 'We are currently in a state of being at odds' (a continuous state). Using the wrong auxiliary verb—'haben' instead of 'sein'—is a classic B1-level mistake.

Auxiliary Verb Error: Wrong: 'Ich habe mit ihm zerstritten.' Correct: 'Ich bin mit ihm zerstritten' or 'Ich habe mich mit ihm zerstritten'.

Viele Lerner sagen 'Ich habe zerstritten', aber man muss 'sein' verwenden, um den Zustand zu beschreiben.

Another mistake involves the reflexive nature of the underlying verb. If you want to describe the process of falling out, you must use the reflexive pronoun 'sich'. For example, 'Die Partner haben sich zerstritten'. Without the 'sich', the sentence is grammatically incomplete. However, when using 'zerstritten' as a pure adjective, the reflexive pronoun is not used: 'Sie sind zerstritten'. Misunderstanding the intensity of the word is also common. Learners might use 'zerstritten' for a small disagreement over where to eat dinner. This sounds overly dramatic to native speakers. 'Zerstritten' implies a serious, often permanent or long-term break. For minor arguments, 'wir hatten eine Meinungsverschiedenheit' (we had a difference of opinion) or 'wir haben uns kurz gestritten' is more appropriate.

Register and Intensity: Using 'zerstritten' for trivial matters makes you sound like a drama queen/king in German.

Man ist nicht zerstritten, nur weil man sich einmal über das Wetter uneinig ist.

Lastly, learners often forget the 'mit' + Dativ construction. They might try to use the accusative or forget the preposition entirely. 'Ich bin ihn zerstritten' is incorrect; it must be 'Ich bin mit ihm zerstritten'.

Confusion with 'verkracht': 'Verkracht' is a more informal synonym. Don't use 'zerstritten' in very slangy contexts where 'verkracht' fits better.

In einer formellen E-Mail ist zerstritten passend, 'verkracht' hingegen nicht.

While zerstritten is the most versatile word for estrangement, German offers several alternatives depending on the nuance and register you wish to convey. A very close synonym is verkracht. This word is more colloquial and comes from 'der Krach' (the loud noise/crash/argument). If you say 'Ich bin mit meinem Kumpel verkracht', it sounds slightly less formal than 'zerstritten', though the meaning is almost identical.

Comparison: Zerstritten vs. Verkracht: 'Zerstritten' is neutral/formal and implies a deep rift; 'verkracht' is informal and emphasizes the 'bang' of the argument.

Die Nachbarn sind seit dem Zaunbau völlig verkracht.

For a more psychological or emotional distance that doesn't necessarily involve shouting matches, entfremdet (estranged/alienated) is a better choice. It suggests that two people have simply grown apart or lost their emotional connection, whereas 'zerstritten' always implies active conflict as the cause. In political or formal contexts, you might hear uneins (at odds/divided) or gespalten (split). A 'gespaltene Meinung' is common, but a 'gespaltene Partei' is a very serious situation, similar to 'zerstritten' but focusing on the resulting factions rather than the argument itself.

Formal Alternatives: 'In Zwietracht leben' (to live in discord) is a very elevated, almost biblical way to describe being 'zerstritten'.

Die Erben sind sich uneins über den Verkauf des Hauses.

If you want to describe a state where someone is actively feuding, the phrase auf Kriegsfuß stehen (to be on a war footing) is a great idiom. 'Ich stehe mit meiner Schwiegermutter auf Kriegsfuß' means you are constantly in conflict, which is a dynamic version of being 'zerstritten'.

Nuance: Disharmonisch: 'Disharmonisch' is used more for atmospheres or musical pieces, but can describe a group of people who don't fit together.

Das Team wirkte während des gesamten Projekts disharmonisch.

How Formal Is It?

حقيقة ممتعة

The prefix 'zer-' is one of the most productive 'destructive' prefixes in German, used in words like 'zerstören' (destroy) and 'zerbrechen' (break).

دليل النطق

UK /t͡sɛɐ̯ˈʃtʁɪtn̩/

US /tsɛrˈʃtrɪtn̩/

The stress is on the second syllable: zer-STRIT-ten.

يتقافى مع

erlitten gebeten (slant) geschnitten mitten ritten Schlitten Sitten schritten

أخطاء شائعة

Pronouncing the 'z' like an English 'z' (should be 'ts').
Stressing the first syllable 'zer-' (incorrect).
Missing the double 't' sound (shortens the preceding vowel).

مستوى الصعوبة

القراءة 3/5

Easy to recognize if you know 'Streit'.

الكتابة 4/5

Requires correct adjective endings and auxiliary 'sein'.

التحدث 4/5

Needs correct preposition 'mit' and dative.

الاستماع 3/5

Clearly audible in news and dramas.

ماذا تتعلّم بعد ذلك

المتطلبات الأساسية

der Streit streiten mit sein

تعلّم لاحقاً

das Zerwürfnis versöhnen die Zwietracht entfremdet

متقدم

die Kleinstaaterei der Grabenkampf die Zerreißprobe

قواعد يجب معرفتها

Zustandspartizip

Das Fenster ist geöffnet. (State) vs. Das Fenster wird geöffnet. (Action). 'Sie sind zerstritten' is a state.

Dative with 'mit'

Ich bin mit dem (Dative) Mann zerstritten.

Adjective Declension

Ein zerstrittener (Masculine Nominative) Mann.

Reflexive Verbs in Past Tense

Sie haben sich (Reflexive) zerstritten (Verb).

Prefix 'zer-'

Zerbrechen, zerstören, zerreißen - all indicate destruction.

سجّل مجاناً لقراءة الشرح الكامل

أمثلة حسب المستوى

Meine zwei Katzen sind zerstritten.

My two cats are estranged.

Plural subject 'Katzen' with 'sind'.

Wir sind nicht zerstritten.

We are not estranged.

Negation with 'nicht'.

Sind sie zerstritten?

Are they estranged?

Question form.

Er ist mit seinem Freund zerstritten.

He is estranged from his friend.

Use of 'mit' + Dative.

Meine Eltern sind zerstritten.

My parents are estranged.

Common family context.

Warum seid ihr zerstritten?

Why are you (plural) estranged?

Question with 'warum'.

Sie ist mit ihrer Schwester zerstritten.

She is estranged from her sister.

Dative 'ihrer Schwester'.

Die Nachbarn sind zerstritten.

The neighbors are estranged.

Plural 'Nachbarn'.

Ich bin seit gestern mit ihm zerstritten.

I have been estranged from him since yesterday.

Time expression 'seit gestern'.

Die Kollegen sind leider zerstritten.

The colleagues are unfortunately estranged.

Adverb 'leider' adds emotion.

Bist du mit deiner Familie zerstritten?

Are you estranged from your family?

Dative 'deiner Familie'.

Wir waren lange zerstritten, aber jetzt ist alles gut.

We were estranged for a long time, but now everything is fine.

Past tense 'waren'.

Sie sind wegen einer Kleinigkeit zerstritten.

They are estranged because of a triviality.

Preposition 'wegen' + Genitive.

Mein Bruder und ich sind nie zerstritten.

My brother and I are never estranged.

Compound subject.

Er ist mit allen Nachbarn zerstritten.

He is estranged from all the neighbors.

Dative plural 'allen Nachbarn'.

Die zerstrittenen Freunde sprechen nicht mehr.

The estranged friends no longer speak.

Attributive use with 'die'.

Die Erben sind völlig zerstritten und brauchen einen Anwalt.

The heirs are completely estranged and need a lawyer.

Adverb 'völlig' emphasizes the state.

Es ist schwer, mit einer zerstrittenen Familie zu leben.

It is hard to live with an estranged family.

Dative attributive 'einer zerstrittenen Familie'.

Nach dem großen Streit waren sie jahrelang zerstritten.

After the big argument, they were estranged for years.

Duration 'jahrelang'.

Ich möchte nicht mit dir zerstritten sein.

I don't want to be estranged from you.

Modal verb 'möchte' with infinitive.

Die Partei ist intern tief zerstritten.

The party is deeply estranged internally.

Adverb 'tief' and 'intern'.

Sie sind seit dem Vorfall hoffnungslos zerstritten.

They have been hopelessly estranged since the incident.

Adverb 'hoffnungslos'.

Bist du immer noch mit deiner besten Freundin zerstritten?

Are you still estranged from your best friend?

'immer noch' indicates continuation.

Eine zerstrittene Partnerschaft ist oft das Ende einer Firma.

An estranged partnership is often the end of a company.

Indefinite article 'eine'.

Die unversöhnlich zerstrittenen Lager fanden keinen Kompromiss.

The irreconcilably estranged camps found no compromise.

Strong adverb 'unversöhnlich'.

Es bedarf vieler Gespräche, um eine zerstrittene Gruppe zu einen.

It requires many conversations to unite an estranged group.

Genitive object 'vieler Gespräche'.

Trotz der Mediation blieben die Eheleute zerstritten.

Despite the mediation, the spouses remained estranged.

Verb 'bleiben' instead of 'sein'.

In der zerstrittenen Koalition herrscht pures Chaos.

Pure chaos reigns in the estranged coalition.

Dative attributive after 'in'.

Er ist mit sich selbst zerstritten und weiß nicht, was er will.

He is at odds with himself and doesn't know what he wants.

Reflexive 'mit sich selbst'.

Die zerstrittene Führungsebene verhinderte wichtige Reformen.

The estranged leadership prevented important reforms.

Subject of the sentence.

Es ist tragisch, wenn Geschwister über Jahrzehnte zerstritten bleiben.

It is tragic when siblings remain estranged for decades.

Subordinate clause with 'wenn'.

Sie sind über die Auslegung des Vertrags zerstritten.

They are estranged over the interpretation of the contract.

Preposition 'über' + Accusative.

Die tiefgreifend zerstrittene Gesellschaft braucht neue Impulse.

The profoundly estranged society needs new impulses.

Compound adverb 'tiefgreifend'.

Eine derart zerstrittene Belegschaft ist kaum noch produktiv.

A workforce so estranged is hardly productive anymore.

Adverb 'derart' for intensity.

Das Zerwürfnis hinterließ eine zerstrittene Verwandtschaft.

The rift left behind an estranged set of relatives.

Noun 'Zerwürfnis' as the cause.

Man kann eine zerstrittene Vergangenheit nicht einfach ungeschehen machen.

One cannot simply undo an estranged past.

Abstract use with 'Vergangenheit'.

Die zerstrittenen Parteien einigten sich schließlich auf einen Waffenstillstand.

The estranged parties finally agreed on a ceasefire.

Specific historical/formal context.

Es ist ein Zeichen von Schwäche, wenn ein Team so zerstritten agiert.

It is a sign of weakness when a team acts so estranged.

Adverbial use with 'agiert'.

Oft sind es Kleinigkeiten, die Familien dauerhaft zerstritten machen.

Often it is small things that make families permanently estranged.

Causative use with 'machen'.

Die zerstrittenen Meinungen prallten im Plenum hart aufeinander.

The estranged opinions clashed hard in the plenary session.

Metaphorical use for 'Meinungen'.

Die ontologisch zerstrittene Natur des Menschen ist ein Thema der Philosophie.

The ontologically estranged nature of man is a theme of philosophy.

Academic adverb 'ontologisch'.

Das Werk reflektiert die zerstrittene Identität der Nachkriegsgeneration.

The work reflects the estranged identity of the post-war generation.

Literary analysis context.

Inmitten einer zerstrittenen Weltordnung suchte er nach Harmonie.

Amidst an estranged world order, he sought harmony.

Preposition 'inmitten' + Genitive.

Die dialektische Aufhebung des zerstrittenen Zustands blieb aus.

The dialectical sublation of the estranged state did not occur.

Technical philosophical terminology.

Ihre Prosa zeichnet das Bild einer hoffnungslos zerstrittenen Bourgeoisie.

Her prose paints the picture of a hopelessly estranged bourgeoisie.

Social critique context.

Die zerstrittenen Fraktionen der Intelligenzija fanden keine gemeinsame Sprache.

The estranged factions of the intelligentsia found no common language.

Specific historical/social group.

Es ist die Tragik des zerstrittenen Bewusstseins, sich selbst nie ganz zu gehören.

It is the tragedy of the estranged consciousness never to fully belong to itself.

Substantivized adjective 'Bewusstseins'.

Die zerstrittenen Narrative der Geschichte erschweren die Versöhnung.

The estranged narratives of history complicate reconciliation.

Metaphorical use for 'Narrative'.

المرادفات

verkracht uneinig entfremdet entzweit zerwürft gespalten auf Kriegsfuß disputabel

الأضداد

versöhnt einig harmonisch verbündet

تلازمات شائعة

hoffnungslos zerstritten

tief zerstritten

völlig zerstritten

intern zerstritten

mit jemandem zerstritten sein

seit Jahren zerstritten

unversöhnlich zerstritten

eine zerstrittene Familie

zerstrittene Erben

wegen einer Kleinigkeit zerstritten

العبارات الشائعة

sich bis aufs Blut zerstreiten

— To argue so fiercely that the relationship is completely destroyed.

Die Geschäftspartner haben sich bis aufs Blut zerstritten.

mit Gott und der Welt zerstritten sein

— To be at odds with everyone and everything.

Nach seiner Entlassung war er mit Gott und der Welt zerstritten.

ein zerstrittener Haufen

— A disorganized group that only argues and cannot act together.

Die Nationalmannschaft wirkte wie ein zerstrittener Haufen.

wieder versöhnt sein

— To no longer be 'zerstritten'; to have made up.

Nach zehn Jahren sind sie endlich wieder versöhnt.

den Streit beilegen

— To end the state of being 'zerstritten'.

Sie versuchen, ihren langjährigen Streit beizulegen.

auf Distanz gehen

— A common result of being 'zerstritten'.

Seit sie zerstritten sind, gehen sie sich aus dem Weg.

kein Wort mehr miteinander reden

— The typical behavior of 'zerstrittene' people.

Sie sind zerstritten und reden kein Wort mehr miteinander.

die Fronten sind verhärtet

— The situation of being 'zerstritten' is stuck.

In der zerstrittenen Familie sind die Fronten verhärtet.

über Kreuz liegen

— An idiom for being at odds/zerstritten.

Die beiden Abteilungen liegen völlig über Kreuz.

das Tischtuch ist zerschnitten

— An idiom meaning a relationship is beyond repair.

Zwischen den beiden ist das Tischtuch endgültig zerschnitten.

يُخلط عادةً مع

zerstritten vs gestritten

Past participle of 'streiten'. 'Gestritten' is the action; 'zerstritten' is the resulting state.

zerstritten vs bestritten

Past participle of 'bestreiten' (to deny or pay for). Completely different meaning.

zerstritten vs umstritten

Means 'controversial'. A topic is 'umstritten', but people are 'zerstritten'.

تعبيرات اصطلاحية

"Sich in die Haare kriegen"

— To start an argument that might lead to being 'zerstritten'.

Sie kriegen sich wegen jeder Kleinigkeit in die Haare.

informal

"Auf Messers Schneide stehen"

— A situation that could lead to a final break.

Ihre Freundschaft steht auf Messers Schneide.

neutral

"Den Karren in den Dreck fahren"

— To ruin a situation or relationship.

Sie haben die Verhandlungen völlig in den Dreck gefahren.

informal

"Hopfen und Malz verloren"

— When a situation (or relationship) is beyond hope.

Bei diesen zerstrittenen Parteien ist Hopfen und Malz verloren.

informal

"Ein Haar in der Suppe finden"

— To look for reasons to argue.

Er findet immer ein Haar in der Suppe, um einen Streit zu beginnen.

neutral

"Öl ins Feuer gießen"

— To make a 'zerstritten' situation worse.

Seine Bemerkung goss nur noch mehr Öl ins Feuer.

neutral

"Friede, Freude, Eierkuchen"

— An ironic way to describe a fake or superficial harmony.

Bei uns ist nicht alles Friede, Freude, Eierkuchen; wir sind oft zerstritten.

informal

"Einen dicken Hals haben"

— To be very angry at someone.

Ich habe einen dicken Hals auf meinen zerstrittenen Bruder.

informal

"Die Axt im Haus erspart den Zimmermann"

— Often used ironically in contexts of domestic conflict.

In dieser zerstrittenen Familie wird viel kaputtgemacht.

literary

"Das Kriegsbeil begraben"

— To stop being 'zerstritten'.

Es wird Zeit, dass wir endlich das Kriegsbeil begraben.

neutral

سهل الخلط

zerstritten vs umstritten

Both start with a prefix and end in 'stritten'.

'Umstritten' means controversial (an idea/person people argue about). 'Zerstritten' means people are at odds with each other.

Das Gesetz ist umstritten (controversial), aber die Minister sind zerstritten (at odds).

zerstritten vs verstritten

Similar prefix.

'Verstritten' is not a common German word; it is usually a mistake for 'zerstritten' or 'verstrickt' (entangled).

N/A (Avoid 'verstritten')

zerstritten vs gestritten

The base verb 'streiten'.

'Gestritten' is used with 'haben' (action). 'Zerstritten' is used with 'sein' (state).

Wir haben gestern gestritten. Heute sind wir immer noch zerstritten.

zerstritten vs versöhnt

It is the opposite state.

'Versöhnt' means the conflict is over.

Wir waren zerstritten, aber jetzt sind wir versöhnt.

zerstritten vs entzweit

Similar meaning.

'Entzweit' is much more formal and literary.

Das Schicksal hat die Brüder entzweit.

أنماط الجُمل

Subjekt + sein + zerstritten.

Wir sind zerstritten.

Subjekt + sein + mit + Dativ + zerstritten.

Er ist mit ihr zerstritten.

Adverb + zerstritten.

Sie sind völlig zerstritten.

Attributive Adjective + Nomen.

Eine zerstrittene Familie.

Seit + Zeit + zerstritten sein.

Sie sind seit Jahren zerstritten.

Wegen + Genitiv + zerstritten sein.

Sie sind wegen des Erbes zerstritten.

Partizipialattribut.

Die hoffnungslos zerstrittenen Parteien...

Metaphorical use.

Ein mit sich selbst zerstrittenes Land.

عائلة الكلمة

الأسماء

der Streit (argument)

das Zerwürfnis (rift)

die Zerstrittenheit (the state of being estranged)

الأفعال

streiten (to argue)

sich zerstreiten (to fall out/become estranged)

bestreiten (to deny/contest)

الصفات

streitlustig (quarrelsome)

unversöhnlich (irreconcilable)

einträchtig (harmonious - antonym)

مرتبط

der Zank

die Zwietracht

die Auseinandersetzung

der Konflikt

die Spaltung

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كيفية الاستخدام

frequency

Common in news and serious conversation.

أخطاء شائعة

Ich habe mit ihm zerstritten. → Ich bin mit ihm zerstritten.
'Zerstritten' is an adjective here, so it needs 'sein'. If you use the verb, it's 'Ich habe MICH mit ihm zerstritten'.
Wir sind zerstritten über das Auto. → Wir sind wegen des Autos zerstritten.
Use 'wegen' + Genitive or 'über' + Accusative to state the reason, but 'wegen' is more common for the state.
Die zerstrittene Thema. → Das umstrittene Thema.
You cannot use 'zerstritten' for objects or topics; use 'umstritten' (controversial) instead.
Ich bin zerstritten ihn. → Ich bin mit ihm zerstritten.
You must use the preposition 'mit' + Dative.
Sie sind gestritten. → Sie sind zerstritten.
'Gestritten' is the past participle of the action; 'zerstritten' is the adjective for the state.

نصائح

Watch the Auxiliary

Always use 'sein' with the adjective 'zerstritten'. Saying 'ich habe zerstritten' is a common but major error.

Prefix Power

Remember that 'zer-' usually means something is getting destroyed. This helps you remember the intensity of the word.

The 'Mit' Rule

When you mention the other person, 'mit' is mandatory. 'Wir sind zerstritten' vs. 'Ich bin mit ihm zerstritten'.

Don't Over-dramatize

Use it for serious rifts. For small tiffs, use 'wir haben uns gestritten'.

Political News

Listen for this word in reports about 'Koalitionsausschüsse' (coalition committees). It's a favorite of German journalists.

Inheritance Context

In Germany, 'Erbstreit' is a common reason for being 'zerstritten'. Use it when discussing family law.

Adjective Endings

Don't forget the endings: 'ein zerstrittener Mann', 'eine zerstrittene Frau', 'das zerstrittene Paar'.

Intonation

Put a bit of weight on the 'strit' to convey the seriousness of the situation.

The Broken Bridge

Visualize a bridge (the relationship) being 'zer-stroyed' by 'strit' (strife).

Verkracht vs Zerstritten

Use 'verkracht' for friends and 'zerstritten' for more formal or serious family/political rifts.

احفظها

وسيلة تذكّر

'Zer-' means 'to pieces' and 'stritten' sounds like 'strife'. So 'zerstritten' is 'strife that breaks things to pieces'.

ربط بصري

Imagine a family photo that has been torn down the middle—that is a 'zerstrittene Familie'.

Word Web

Streit zer- kaputt Familie nicht reden Anwalt Erbstreit Kriegsfuß

تحدٍّ

Try to describe a famous historical feud (like Adidas vs. Puma) using the word 'zerstritten' and the preposition 'mit'.

أصل الكلمة

Derived from the Middle High German 'stritan' (to fight/strive). The prefix 'zer-' was added to indicate the destructive result of the action.

المعنى الأصلي: To fight until something is broken or divided.

Germanic (Indo-European).

السياق الثقافي

Be careful when using this word about someone's family; it is a strong term that implies a serious and painful situation.

Equivalent to 'estranged' or 'at loggerheads', but 'zerstritten' is used more broadly in everyday speech.

The Dassler brothers (Adidas vs. Puma) are the quintessential 'zerstrittene Brüder'. The 'Ampel-Koalition' (SPD, Greens, FDP) is often called 'zerstritten' by the press. The Nibelungenlied features many 'zerstrittene' characters.

تدرّب في الحياة الواقعية

سياقات واقعية

Family

eine zerstrittene Familie
mit den Eltern zerstritten sein
Geschwisterzwist

Politics

eine zerstrittene Koalition
innerparteilich zerstritten
Flügelkämpfe

Law

zerstrittene Erben
Erbstreitigkeit
Mediation

Work

ein zerstrittenes Team
mit dem Chef zerstritten
schlechtes Betriebsklima

Friendship

ehemals beste Freunde
nun zerstritten
kein Kontakt mehr

بدايات محادثة

"Glaubst du, dass zerstrittene Familien sich jemals wieder versöhnen können?"

"Warst du schon mal mit jemandem für eine lange Zeit richtig zerstritten?"

"Warum sind politische Parteien in Deutschland oft so intern zerstritten?"

"Was ist der häufigste Grund, warum Freunde zerstritten geraten?"

"Wie kann man eine zerstrittene Gruppe von Menschen wieder zusammenbringen?"

مواضيع للكتابة اليومية

Schreibe über eine Zeit, in der du mit jemandem zerstritten warst. Wie hast du dich gefühlt?

Ist es besser, zerstritten zu bleiben oder um jeden Preis Frieden zu schließen?

Beschreibe eine zerstrittene Familie in einem fiktiven Buch oder Film.

Wie beeinflusst eine zerstrittene Regierung das tägliche Leben der Bürger?

Reflektiere über den Ausdruck 'mit sich selbst zerstritten sein'. Was bedeutet das für dich?

الأسئلة الشائعة

10 أسئلة

Mostly yes, but it can be used for groups like political parties or even metaphorically for 'opinions' or 'narratives'. It always implies a human element of discord.

Yes, that is the reflexive verb 'sich zerstreiten'. It focuses on the moment the relationship broke. 'Ich bin zerstritten' focuses on the current state.

'Zerstritten' is standard and neutral. 'Verkracht' is informal/colloquial. You would use 'zerstritten' in a newspaper and 'verkracht' when talking to a friend.

Not necessarily, but it implies a serious rift that isn't easily fixed. It is stronger than just being 'böse' (angry).

Always use the Dative case: 'Ich bin mit meinem (Dative) Vater zerstritten.'

Only in the metaphorical sense 'mit sich selbst zerstritten sein' (at odds with oneself). Otherwise, it requires at least two parties.

Yes, very often. 'Zerstrittene Geschäftspartner' or 'eine zerstrittene Führungsetage' are common terms in corporate news.

The noun is 'die Zerstrittenheit', though 'das Zerwürfnis' or 'der Streit' are more common in practice.

Yes, it is typically introduced at the B1 level when students learn about family and social conflicts.

No, that would be 'wir haben gerade einen Streit'. 'Zerstritten' implies a lasting state of conflict.

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