verb
to harm, to damage
B1
schaden (verb): to harm or damage. Auxiliary: haben. Regular weak verb; participle 'geschadet', present 'schadet'. Non‑reflexive and typically transitive with dative object: jemandem schaden (to harm someone). Imperatives: schade! / schadet!. Perfekt: hat geschadet; distinguish from noun 'Schaden' by capitalization.
Examples
Der Sturm hat dem Haus geschadet.
The storm damaged the house.
Rauchen schadet der Gesundheit.
Smoking is harmful to your health.
Obwohl der Regen stark war, schadete er der Ernte nicht, weil die Felder gut entwässert worden waren.
Although the rain was heavy, it did not damage the harvest because the fields had been well drained.
Details
Mnemonics
Picture a crack spreading through glass — each crack 'schadet' the integrity.
Sounds like 'shady' — if something is shady it can harm your plans.
N/A
Notes
Takes the dative case for the person harmed: 'Das schadet mir.' Weak (regular) verb. More commonly used in impersonal constructions or with abstract harms. | Verb typically does not form passive; passive forms are not applicable.