Verschüttetem

Verschüttetem is a German adjective form related to the verb verschütten, meaning to spill. It is the dative singular masculine or neuter form used without a determiner (strong declension) and describes a noun that has been spilled. For example: mit verschüttetem Kaffee (with spilled coffee) or auf verschüttetem Öl (on spilled oil). The form reflects that no article precedes the noun and the noun is in the dative case.

In contrast, when a definite article or another determiner is present, the ending changes: dem verschütteten Kaffee or dem verschütteten Öl illustrate the dative singular with a definite article. The base participle verschüttet (spilled) functions as an adjective here, not as a stand-alone noun.

Etymology and scope: verschüttet derives from verschütten, formed with the prefix ver- added to schütten (to pour out). The word is widely used in everyday German to describe liquids or materials that have been spilled, spilled residue, or surfaces affected by a spill. It is common in descriptive or narrative writing, in kitchen or workshop contexts, and in disaster or accident reporting where spills are mentioned.

Usage notes: Verschüttetem is limited to masculine or neuter nouns in the dative singular without an article. For feminine nouns or other cases, different adjective endings apply (for example: verschüttete Milch in nominative feminine, or verschüttete Flüssigkeit in other contexts). As a rule, it remains an attributive adjective form rather than a standalone noun.

See also: verschütten, adjectives in German grammar, strong vs weak adjective declension.