verschenkt

Verschenken is a German verb meaning to give something away for free, to present as a gift, or to donate. It can apply to tangible items such as books or furniture—as well as to less concrete things like time or opportunities. The past participle is verschenkt and is used with the auxiliary haben in perfect tenses: Ich habe das Buch verschenkt. The simple past is Ich verschenkte das Buch.

Etymology and form: Verschenken is formed from the noun schenken (to give as a gift) with the prefix ver-, which here conveys the sense of giving away to someone else. The prefix ver- in verschenken is generally inseparable, so the word is not split in tenses such as “ich habe das Buch verschenk(t)” but rather “ich habe das Buch verschenkt.”

Usage and nuance: Verschenken emphasizes the absence of payment or the act of donating. It is common in everyday language and can describe handing over items to individuals, to charities, or to the public domain. In addition to concrete gifts, the expression is used metaphorically, for example: eine Chance verschenken, meaning to miss or waste an opportunity. Related terms include spenden (donate to a charity), verschenktes Gut (a freely given item, in context), and verlosen (distribute by lottery).