Verstarben

Verstarben is the simple past tense form (Präteritum) of the German verb versterben, which means to die or pass away. It is used in narrative and formal writing to indicate that someone or something died at a definite time in the past. The standard past participle is verstorben, used with sein to form the perfect: er ist verstorben.

Etymology and nuance: Versterben combines the root sterben with the prefix ver-. In this verb, ver- does not imply a specific direction but marks a completed death event and is typical of literary or formal usage. Verstarben thus conveys a finished past event, often in a solemn or obituary tone.

Conjugation (Präteritum): ich verstarb; du verstarbst; er verstarb; wir verstarben; ihr verstarbt; sie verstarben. The corresponding past participle is verstorben.

Usage notes: Verstarben is less common in everyday speech, where speakers typically use the simple past form starb or the perfect form ist gestorben. Verstarben tends to appear in obituaries, historical accounts, religious or ceremonial texts, and formal news reports. It can carry a more formal or solemn tone than alternatives such as starb or ist gestorben.

Examples: Der König verstarb im Alter von 82 Jahren. Viele Tiere verstarben während des Sturms. Nach der Nachricht verstarben die Familienmitglieder in stiller Trauer.