ermüdete

Ermüdete is the Präteritum (simple past) form of the German verb ermüden. The verb means to cause fatigue or to become tired, i.e., to wear someone or something out. As a finite verb, ermüdete is used in narrative or formal writing to describe a past state of fatigue or an action that induced tiredness. The corresponding perfect (Perfekt) form is hat ermüdet.

Conjugation in the Präteritum (past tense) is: ich ermüdete, du ermüdetest, er/sie/es ermüdete, wir ermüdeten, ihr ermüdetet, sie/Sie ermüdeten. The meaning shifts with subject: a person can become tired (ich ermüdete), or an external factor can fatigue someone (der Weg ermüdete ihn). The past participle is ermüdet, used with auxiliary haben to form the Perfekt: hat ermüdet.

Etymology and sense: ermüden derives from müde, tired, with the prefix er- adding a sense of causation or sufficing extent. The stem conveys both “to wear someone out” and “to become weary.” Related nouns include Ermüdung (fatigue, weariness) and adjectives such as ermüdend (tiresome).

Usage notes: Ermüdete is primarily found in literary, historical, or formal prose. It is less common in everyday spoken German, where speakers more often use present or perfect forms like ermüden or müde werden. When used, ermüdete typically governs a direct object or accompanies a subject performing the fatigue-causing action.

Examples: Der lange Marsch ermüdete die Soldaten. Der Bericht ermüdete die Zuhörer. Der Gedanke an die Aufgabe ermüdete sie schon vor dem Beginn.