durchgerissen

Durchgerissen is a German adjective and past participle of durchreißen. It describes something that has been torn completely through, leaving a through-and-through tear. The term applies to physical objects such as fabric, rope, nets, or paper where the integrity is compromised from one side to the other. In figurative use, it can indicate a breach, rupture, or exhaustion in a non-physical sense.

Etymology and grammar: formed from durch- (through) and reißen (to tear). The participle durchgerissen is used both predicatively (das Seil ist durchgerissen) and attributively (ein durchgerissenes Loch). The emphasis is on a tear that traverses the whole object rather than a superficial rip.

Usage in modern German: In everyday language durchgerissen describes real damage or wear, as well as fashion and design where holes are intentionally created. Phrases such as durchgerissene Jeans, durchgerissenes Material, or das Netz ist durchgerissen are common. In fashion, durchgerissen can denote a deliberately distressed look, while in technical contexts it marks actual failure of a component.

Notes: Durchgerissen is not a fixed technical term but a descriptive past participle. It can be intensified with modifiers to convey extent (e.g., stark durchgerissen) and is often contrasted with weniger severe terms like gerissen or zerrissen, which may describe partial or less complete tearing.