zerreiben

Zerreiben is a German verb formed with the prefix zer- and the verb reiben (to rub). The prefix zer- expresses destruction, fragmentation, or reduction, so zerreiben generally means to rub something until it is worn away, powdered, or reduced to smaller pieces. The term can describe physical abrasion of surfaces as well as the act of pulverizing or grinding through rubbing.

In practical use, zerreiben covers several closely related senses. Physically, it can mean to wear down or erode by friction, such as rubbing two surfaces together until material is removed. In daily usage the prefix can imply causing a substance to break down: for example, to crush or grate food ingredients by rubbing, as in a kitchen context, or to crush tablets into powder in pharmacology. The expression "etwas zerreiben" thus often corresponds to grinding or pulverizing with manual force.

In idiomatic and set phrases, zerreiben appears with body parts: "sich die Hände zerreiben" (to rub one's hands together in anticipation or warmth) and "sich die Augen zerreiben" (to rub one's eyes, typically from fatigue or irritation).

Grammatically, zerreiben is used as a transitive verb and takes a direct object. It is a prefixed verb; the prefix zer- indicates the idea of reduction or destruction, and the core verb reiben governs the conjugation. The exact forms follow standard German verb conjugation with the prefix attached, not generally separated in tense forms.