zerbrochene

Zerbrochene is a German attributive adjective form derived from the verb zerbrechen, meaning to break. It conveys that something has been broken or shattered. It is most commonly used before a feminine singular noun, as in die zerbrochene Vase, but it also appears with other genders and numbers with appropriate endings (das zerbrochene Glas, eine zerbrochene Tasse, die zerbrochenen Scheiben). In predicative use, the past participle zerbrochen is often used: Die Vase ist zerbrochen.

Origin and grammar: Zerbrochen is the past participle of zerbrechen. Zerbrochene is the attributive form used before a noun; like other German adjectives, its ending changes according to case, gender, and number. After a definite article, the ending -e is common in singular forms for masculine, feminine, and neuter, yielding examples such as der zerbrochene Mann, die zerbrochene Vase, das zerbrochene Glas. The plural form changes as die zerbrochenen Scheiben. In many contexts the word functions as a descriptive adjective rather than a standalone noun.

Usage and nuance: The term is widely used in everyday German and in literature to describe physical objects that have been broken, as well as metaphorical breakage (for example, eine zerbrochene Beziehung). Its exact ending follows standard German adjective declension rules, so listeners and readers can recognize it across contexts.

See also: Zerbrechen, Zerbrochen. For further details on spelling and usage, consult standard German grammar references such as Duden.