der  Ruin

B2

Estimated CEFR level.

/ʁuˈiːn/

📉 What does "der Ruin" mean?

The noun der Ruin describes a state of complete destruction, decay, or collapse. It is often used figuratively to denote an economic, financial, social, or personal downfall.

• Economic/Financial: The bankruptcy of a company or person ("Die Firma steht vor dem Ruin." - The company is facing ruin.).
• Personal/Social: The loss of reputation, health, or happiness ("Sein Ruf war nach dem Skandal dem Ruin geweiht." - His reputation was doomed after the scandal.).
• Physical (less common for der Ruin): Although it means destruction, the feminine noun die Ruine (plural: die Ruinen) is usually used for the physical remains of a destroyed building. Der Ruin in this context refers more to the process or state of decay itself.

⚠️ Attention: Do not confuse with die Ruine (the ruin/remains of a building).

🧐 Grammar in Detail: Der Ruin

The word Ruin is a masculine noun. It is primarily used in the singular as it often describes an abstract state. A plural form (die Ruine) exists formally but is extremely rare and usually replaced by die Ruinen (plural of die Ruine) when referring to physical remains.

Declension Singular

Although rare, here is the formal plural form:

Declension Plural (Rare)

🚨 Note: Almost always, die Ruine (feminine, plural: die Ruinen) is used instead when talking about physical remains.

💡 Example Sentences

1. Die riskanten Investitionen führten die Familie in den Ruin.
   (The risky investments led the family to ruin.)
2. Nach dem Krieg lag die Stadt in Ruin und Asche.
   (After the war, the city lay in ruin and ashes. - Here 'Ruin' is understood as the state.)
3. Er hat seinen Ruf durch sein Verhalten dem Ruin preisgegeben.
   (He doomed his reputation to ruin through his behavior.)
4. Der wirtschaftliche Ruin des Landes schien unvermeidlich.
   (The economic ruin of the country seemed inevitable.)

🌐 How to use "der Ruin"?

Der Ruin is mostly used in contexts describing severe decline or collapse. It carries a strong negative connotation.

• Typical Collocations: in den Ruin treiben/stürzen (to drive/plunge into ruin), vor dem Ruin stehen (to face ruin), dem Ruin geweiht sein (to be doomed to ruin), wirtschaftlicher/finanzieller/moralischer Ruin (economic/financial/moral ruin).
• Distinction from die Ruine: While der Ruin describes the state or process of decay and failure (often abstract or economic), die Ruine (feminine) specifically refers to the remains of a destroyed structure ("Wir besichtigten die Burgruine." - We visited the castle ruins.).
• Abstract vs. Concrete Meaning: Der Ruin is more frequently used abstractly ("Der finanzielle Ruin drohte." - Financial ruin loomed.) than for physical destruction, although the latter isn't entirely impossible ("Der Ruin der alten Fabrik." - The ruin of the old factory. - here implying the state of decay).

🧠 Mnemonics for "der Ruin"

For the article 'der': Think of 'DER Terminator' causing ruin and destruction. Associating it with a powerful, destructive masculine figure can help remember 'der'.

For the meaning 'ruin': The German word Ruin sounds almost exactly like the English word "ruin". Just imagine something being ruined – that's der Ruin.

🔄 Synonyms & Antonyms for "der Ruin"

⚠️ Similar Words:

• Die Ruine: As mentioned, the feminine word for the physical remains of a destroyed building. Der Ruin is the state/process.

😄 A Little Joke

Fragt der Richter den Angeklagten: "Warum haben Sie die Bank überfallen?"
Antwortet der Angeklagte: "Sie hat angefangen! Sie hat mich zuerst in den Ruin getrieben!"

Translation:
The judge asks the defendant: "Why did you rob the bank?"
The defendant replies: "It started it! It drove me to ruin first!"

📜 Poem about Ruin

Wo einst Glanz und Reichtum war,
Steht nun Leere, sonderbar.
Mauern bröckeln, Stein auf Stein,
Das ist der Ruin, kalt und allein.
Ein Mahnmal dessen, was vergeht,
Wenn Stolz und Gier den Wind gesät.

Translation:
Where once were splendor and wealth,
Now stands emptiness, strange to oneself.
Walls crumble, stone by stone,
That is der Ruin, cold and alone.
A memorial to what passes away,
When pride and greed have sown the wind's sway.

🧩 Riddle

Ich bin das Ende, nicht der Start,
Bin oft finanzieller Art.
Ich folge manchem Höhenflug,
Bin Pleite, Crash und Selbstbetrug.
Man treibt dich in mich, steht vor mir,
Bin männlich, sag, was bin ich hier?

Translation:
I am the end, not the start,
Often of a financial art.
I follow many a lofty flight,
Am bankruptcy, crash, and self-deceit's plight.
One drives you into me, stands before me near,
I'm masculine, say, what am I here?

Solution: der Ruin

💡 Other Information

• Word Origin: The German word Ruin comes from the Latin word ruina, meaning 'collapse', 'downfall', or 'destruction'. It entered German via French (ruine).
• Related Words: The verb ruinieren means 'to ruin', 'to destroy' ("Er hat seine Gesundheit ruiniert." - He ruined his health.). The adjective ruinös describes something that leads to ruin or is dilapidated ("ruinöse Preise" - ruinous prices, "ein ruinöser Zustand" - a ruinous condition).