Brechen
Brechen (German verb)
Meaning:
The German verb "brechen" is multifaceted and can be translated into English in several ways, depending on the context. Its core meaning relates to the concept of separation, disruption, or violation. Key meanings include:
- To break: This is perhaps the most common translation. It can refer to physically breaking something, such as a bone, a branch, or a glass.
- To fracture: Similar to "break," but often implies a less complete separation, such as a fractured bone.
- To violate: In a figurative sense, it can mean to violate a law, a promise, or a code of conduct. This implies transgression or infringement.
- To vomit: Refers to the expulsion of contents from the stomach through the mouth.
- To change (color, direction, light): Describes a sudden alteration or shift in a state or trajectory. For example, light can "brechen" (refract) when it passes through a prism.
- To fold (flax): In some contexts, it can mean to break or fold flax in order to separate the fibers. This usage is more archaic.
Grammatical Information:
"Brechen" is a strong verb in German. This means that its stem vowel changes in the past tense and past participle forms. The principal parts are:
- Present tense: brechen (ich breche, du brichst, er/sie/es bricht, wir brechen, ihr brecht, sie brechen)
- Past tense (Imperfekt): brach (ich brach, du brachst, er/sie/es brach, wir brachen, ihr bracht, sie brachen)
- Past participle: gebrochen (haben/sein gebrochen)
- Imperative: brich! (du form), brecht! (ihr form), brechen Sie! (formal form)
Related Terms:
- Bruch: (Noun) A break, fracture, fraction, rupture.
- Abbrechen: (Verb) To break off, cancel, abort.
- Durchbrechen: (Verb) To break through, penetrate.
- Einbrechen: (Verb) To break in, burglarize.
- Gebrochen: (Adjective) Broken, fractured. Can also mean hesitant or unnatural (e.g., "gebrochenes Deutsch" - broken German).