German word

zerbrechen

Pronunciation

IPA/tsɛɐ̯ˈbrɛçn̩/

Meaning

  • verbbreak

Example

Der Junge zerbricht das Glas.

The boy breaks the glass.

Illustration for zerbrechen (break)

More examples

Die ständige Kritik zerbricht ihn langsam.

The constant criticism is slowly breaking him.

Core concept

One thing loses its unity as force breaks it into pieces, whether the object breaks itself or someone breaks it.

Common phrases

  • jemanden psychisch zerbrechen

    break someone psychologically

  • an den Problemen zerbrechen

    be broken by one's problems

  • unter der Last zerbrechen

    break under the burden

Similar words

brechen: An object is split into two or more parts by force.
zerschlagen: An object is smashed apart by blows into pieces or powder.
zerstören: Something is completely ruined, losing its shape or function.
kaputtgehen: An object stops working because of damage, an outside force, or a fault.

Definition in German

Etwas in Stücke bringen oder so beschädigen, dass es bricht; sowohl transitiv als auch intransitiv verwendbar.

Word origin

German formed zerbrechen from brechen and the separative prefix zer-, giving the sense of breaking something apart.

Usage tips

  • Zerbrechen is not a separable-prefix verb, so the prefix remains attached in finite forms such as 'Das Glas zerbricht'.

Other meanings

  • break apartverb
  • shatterverb

Opposites

Related words

  • der Zerbruchcollapsenoun

Word lists with this word