trennen

Trennen is a German verb meaning to separate, detach, or divide. It encompasses the physical separation of objects or substances as well as more abstract divisions, such as separating groups or ideas. The verb can be used transitively, with a direct object, or reflexively in the phrase sich trennen, which denotes parting ways or breaking up, for example in relationships or organizations.

In usage, trennen is transitive: der Filter trennt Feststoffe vom Flüssigen (the filter separates solids from liquids); zwei Stoffe wurden getrennt (two substances were separated). The verb forms regular conjugation: present ich trenne, du trennst, er trennt; past tense trennte; perfect participle getrennt, e.g., ich habe getrennt, er hat getrennt. The reflexive form appears as sich trennen: Sie haben sich getrennt (they have separated). Prefixes such as abtrennen (detach, separate off) or auseinanderntren (separate into parts) extend the meaning in technical contexts.

In science and technology, Trennen often refers to separation processes. In chemistry and chemical engineering, Trennverfahren (separation methods) are used to isolate components of mixtures, with examples including Destillation (distillation), Filtration, Extraktion, Chromatographie (chromatography), and Zentrifugation. The term also appears in everyday contexts, such as separating recyclable materials or organizing items into distinct categories.

Related noun forms include Trennung or das Trennen to denote the act or result of separating, and the related adjective getrennt meaning separated. The word traces back to Old High German trennan and related Germanic roots, connected conceptually to the idea of tearing or breaking apart.