Gescheurd

Gescheurd is a Dutch adjective and past participle meaning torn or ripped. It describes something that has been torn, such as fabric, paper, posters, or seams. The term can also be used figuratively to refer to things that are damaged or fractured, like a gescheurde relatie or a frayed reputation, conveying a sense of disruption or wear.

Etymology and form: Gescheurd is formed from the verb scheuren (to tear) with the prefix ge-, producing the perfect participle used as an adjective. It is cognate with the German gerissen and the English torn. In use, gescheurd describes objects or conditions that show tearing, splitting, or fraying.

Usage and examples: In literal contexts, one might say the broek is gescheurd (the trousers are torn), or de posters zijn gescheurd (the posters are torn). In figurative language, it can describe damage beyond the physical, for example een gescheurde reputatie (a damaged reputation) or een gescheurde relatie (a torn relationship). The word functions as an adjective and can appear before or after the noun it describes, with standard Dutch agreement rules applying.

See also: Scheuren (to tear), scheur (tear), beschadigd (damaged). These related terms cover the action of tearing and the state of having been damaged, which help explain the semantic range of gescheurd.