German word

abbrechen

Pronunciation

IPA/ˈapˌbʁɛçn̩/

Meaning

  • verbcancel

Example

Wir brechen das Treffen ab.

We are canceling the meeting.

Illustration for abbrechen (cancel)

More examples

Sie mussten den Ausflug abbrechen.

They had to cancel the outing.

Core concept

Something underway is cut short, leaving its continuation unfinished.

Common phrases

  • den Termin abbrechen

    cancel the appointment

  • die Verbindung abbrechen

    terminate the connection

  • das Gespräch abbrechen

    break off the conversation

Similar words

aufhören: Stop an ongoing action or activity without continuing it.
unterbrechen: Pause a conversation or task so it can continue later.
absagen: Notify others in advance that a planned event will not take place.
beenden: Bring something to an intentional and complete end.

Definition in German

Eine laufende Tätigkeit, Verbindung oder ein Bauwerk in der Mitte abbrechen, also nicht bis zum Ende fortsetzen.

Word origin

The German verb abbrechen is formed from ab- meaning away or off and inherited brechen meaning to break, with break off developing into interrupt and cancel.

Usage tips

  • Abbrechen usually concerns something already underway, whereas absagen commonly cancels an event before it starts.

Other meanings

  • interruptverb
  • demolishverb

Opposites

Related words

  • Abbruchcancellationnoun
  • abbrechbarcancellableadjective

Word lists with this word