brechen

Brechen is a German verb meaning to break, fracture, or snap. It is used for the physical breakage of objects as well as for interruptions, violations, or changes in status. Examples include Das Glas ist gebrochen (the glass is broken), die Verbindung bricht (the connection is breaking), das Gesetz brechen (to break the law), and einen Rekord brechen (to break a record). In idiomatic use, man kann auch von einer Grenze brechen oder eine Stille brechen sprechen, though such phrases may vary in frequency.

Etymology: The verb derives from Old High German brehhan and is cognate with Dutch breken and English break, reflecting a common Germanic root.

Conjugation: Brechen is irregular. Präsens: ich breche, du brichst, er bricht, wir brechen, ihr brecht, sie brechen. Präteritum: ich brach, du brachst, er brach, wir brachen, ihr bracht, sie brachen. Partizip II: gebrochen. Perfekt: ich habe gebrochen; Plusquamperfekt: ich hatte gebrochen. Futur I: ich werde brechen. Konjunktiv II: ich bräche.

Related forms: erbrechen means to vomit and is formed with the prefix er-, sharing the same root but with a distinct meaning and conjugation.

Notes: Brechen also appears in compounds such as durchbrechen (to break through) and can be used both in literal and figurative senses, for example breaking patterns, norms, or barriers. The verb is central in German for describing damage, disruption, or violation across contexts.