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verschulden

to get into debt

verb fer-SHUL-den Rare
People & Society Money

Also means

to cause (a loss)

Usage Note

verschulden is most common reflexively, sich verschulden, meaning to get into debt: Der Staat hat sich hoch verschuldet. Non-reflexively it means to be at fault for something, e.g. einen Unfall verschulden. The past participle verschuldet doubles as an adjective meaning indebted.

Examples

"Viele Familien verschulden sich durch hohe Mieten."

Natural Translation

Many families get into debt because of high rents.

Literal Translation

Many families indebt themselves through high rents.

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