abgekratzt

Abgekratzt is a German adjective used to describe a surface from which material has been removed by scraping or rubbing. It typically refers to coatings such as paint, varnish, or plaster that have been worn away, leaving exposed or uneven areas. Common contexts are walls, façades, furniture, or vehicles where the lack of a continuous coating results in a chipped or rough appearance. For example: Der Lack ist abgekratzt, die Tür ist abgekratzt. The term can also apply to surfaces like metal or wood that show areas where the surface layer has been scraped off.

In addition to its literal use, abgekratzt can be used figuratively in colloquial language to describe a person who looks tired, worn out, or run-down, though this sense is regionally influenced and more informal than the literal meaning. For instance, jemand sieht abgekratzt aus would convey that someone appears fatigued or exhausted.

Etymology and usage notes: abgekratzt is formed from the verb abkratzen, meaning to scrape off or chip away, with the prefix ab- indicating removal. It is common in everyday German across several regions, though in formal writing or technical contexts one might opt for more precise terms such as abgeplatzt, abblätternd, abgeplatzt, or abgetragen depending on the exact surface condition.

See also: Kratzer, Kratzen, Abplatzung, Abblättern, Abtragen.