Afgebroken

Afgebroken is the past participle of the Dutch verb afbreken, meaning to break off, demolish, or dismantle. It can function as a finite verb form in perfect tenses (is afgebroken, heeft afgebroken) and, more often, as an adjective describing something from which a part has been detached or severed. The word conveys a completed action or a resulting state where a piece or connection has been removed.

Etymology and grammar: Afbreken is a prefixed verb built from af- (away, off) and breken (to break). The prefix indicates separation or removal. As an adjective or participle, afgebroken agrees with the noun it modifies in gender and number (een afgebroken tak, een afgebroken kabel, afgebroken randen). In passive constructions, the form is typically used with the auxiliary zijn in present tense: De muur is afgebroken.

Usage and contexts: Afgebroken is commonly used for physical objects, such as a afgebroken tak (a broken-off branch), een afgebroken hoek (a broken-off corner), or een afgebroken kabel (a detached cable). It also applies figuratively to relationships or processes, e.g., een relatie is afgebroken (a relationship has been broken off) or de onderhandelingen zijn afgebroken (the negotiations have been terminated). The term emphasizes the end state of detachment rather than the act itself.

Related terms: Afbreken is the verb, while afgebroken is its past participle. Related Dutch verbs include breken (to break) and afbreken (to demolish, dismantle). The concept contrasts with intact or verbonden (connected), where no detachment has occurred.