German word

krachen

Pronunciation

IPA/ˈkʁaxən/

Meaning

  • verbcrash

Example

Die Vase krachte vom Tisch.

The vase fell off the table with a crash.

Illustration for krachen (crash)

More examples

Zwei Autos krachten ineinander.

Two cars collided violently.

Core concept

A hard impact erupts in a loud crack, as an object hits, breaks, or a confrontation suddenly turns fierce.

Common phrases

  • Die Tür krachte

    The door banged loudly

  • Das Gewitter krachte

    The thunderstorm boomed

  • Die Gläser krachten

    The glasses clashed

Similar words

knallen: Make a loud bang through a sudden, forceful impact or release.
knacken: Make a small sharp crack as material splits or bears pressure.
platzen: Split open from pressure and make a loud popping noise.

Definition in German

mit einem lauten Knall oder Bruchgeräusch auftreten; auch übertragen für heftige Auseinandersetzungen

Word origin

Krachen is a sound-imitating German formation related to the noun Krach, naming the noise associated with violent impact and its figurative use for conflict.

Usage tips

  • Krachen is often intransitive, as in 'Die Vase krachte', while an object involved in a collision is commonly marked with 'gegen'.

Other meanings

  • collideverb

Opposites

  • verstummenbecome silentverb
  • verklingendie awayverb

Related words

  • Krachloud noisenoun
  • krachendmaking a loud noiseadjective

Word lists with this word