German word

einbrechen

Pronunciation

IPA/ˈaɪ̯nˌbʁɛçn̩/

Meaning

  • verbbreak in

Example

Er ist letzte Nacht in unser Haus eingebrochen.

He broke into our house last night.

Illustration for einbrechen (break in)

More examples

In der Nacht wurde in das Geschäft eingebrochen.

The shop was broken into at night.

Core concept

A locked building is breached through a door or window, allowing an intruder to get inside.

Common phrases

  • in ein Haus einbrechen

    break into a house

  • in eine Wohnung einbrechen

    break into an apartment

  • in ein Geschäft einbrechen

    break into a shop

Similar words

aufbrechen: Opening a locked door or window by force.
eindringen: Making one's way into a building or area past an obstruction.
einziehen: Taking up residence in a new home after moving in.
einsteigen: Entering a building or vehicle by climbing through an opening.

Definition in German

Gewaltsam in ein Gebäude eindringen, oft durch Zerstörung von Schloss oder Fenster, und damit eine Straftat begehen.

Word origin

The verb combines the prefix ein- ('in') with inherited Germanic brechen ('break'), describing entry by breaking through a barrier.

Usage tips

  • As a separable verb, it appears as 'Er bricht in unser Haus ein' in the present tense, while the perfect uses 'ist eingebrochen'.

Other meanings

  • burglarizeverb

Related words

  • der Einbrecherburglarnoun
  • der Einbruchbreak-innoun

Word lists with this word