unterbrochen

Unterbrochen is the past participle of the German verb unterbrechen, meaning to interrupt or to cut off. As an adjective or a passive participle, it denotes that an action or process has been interrupted or halted. It is used in various tenses: in the perfect with haben (Ich habe das Gespräch unterbrochen) and in passive constructions with werden (Der Film wurde unterbrochen).

The verb unterbrechen is formed from the prefix unter- and the verb brechen (to break). The prefix is separable in main clauses, so in present tense the stem remains before the participle (Ich unterbreche das Gespräch), while in perfect tense the participle stays at the end (Ich habe das Gespräch unterbrochen). As an adjective, unterbrochen agrees with the noun: eine unterbrochene Verbindung, ein unterbrochener Dialog.

Usage notes include that unterbrochen commonly appears in contexts such as communication, media, and ongoing activities to indicate a pause or termination of continuity. It can describe a momentary halt or a permanent interruption, depending on context. In everyday language one might say: Die Leitung ist unterbrochen (The line is interrupted) or Die Sitzung wurde wegen Zwischenrufen unterbrochen (The meeting was interrupted due to interruptions). In technical or media contexts, it can refer to a temporary glitch or a deliberate break in transmission.

See also: Unterbrechung (the noun form meaning interruption) and Unterbrechen (the verb). Related phrases include unterbrochenen Verbindungen and other adjectival uses built from the participle.