Polyglot Dictionary

zersetzen

/t͜sɛɐ̯ˈzɛtsn̩/

verb B2

der (masc.) die (fem.) das (neut.)

Underline = a spelling pattern that usually signals that gender.

V Register Neutral Era Current Frequency Common Domain General Tone Neutral

Forms

present
zersetzt
past
zersetzte
perfect
hat zersetzt

Meaning

  1. to decompose, to break down

    Built from zer (apart, to pieces (prefix)) + setzen (to put, to set).

    • Organisches Material zersetzt sich im Boden.

      Organic material decomposes in the soil.

V Category Action Concreteness Concrete Agency Voluntary Duration Punctual Transitivity Transitive

Made of

  • zer apart, to pieces (prefix)
  • setzen to put, to set
Read the article about words built from setzen

Usage notes

Often used reflexively ("sich zersetzen").

Practice

1 What does zersetzen mean?

2 Fill the gap: Organisches Material ___ sich im Boden.

3 Which fingerprint chart matches zersetzen?

verbcompoundinseparable

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