Kõrbema

Kõrbema is an Estonian verb that translates to "to burn down," "to burn to ashes," or "to be consumed by fire." It describes a process where something is completely destroyed by fire, leaving little to nothing behind. This can refer to physical objects like buildings, forests, or crops, but can also be used metaphorically to describe the complete destruction of something intangible.

The verb often implies a significant and often catastrophic event. For example, a house might kõrbema during a fire, or a large area of forest could kõrbema after a lightning strike. The intensity of the fire is key to the meaning; it signifies a complete and irreversible combustion.

In a metaphorical sense, kõrbema can be used to describe the ruin of a reputation, a dream, or a relationship. For instance, a scandal might cause someone's career to kõrbema. The usage emphasizes the totality of the destruction, suggesting that what was once present is now gone, consumed by the destructive force. The past participle forms, such as "kõrbenud," are commonly used to describe something that has already undergone this process, meaning "burnt down" or "ruined."