zerbrochener

Zerbrochener is a German attributive adjective form derived from zerbrechen, meaning broken or shattered. It describes an object or item that has been damaged to the point of being in pieces or no longer intact. The term is used both in literal descriptions of physical damage and, occasionally, in figurative contexts to convey a sense of fragility or ruin.

In German grammar, zerbrochen is the past participle of zerbrechen. The attributive form zerbrochener is used with masculine singular nouns in the nominative or accusative case when paired with an indefinite article or without an article (for example, ein zerbrochener Stuhl). After a definite article or other determiner that triggers weak inflection, the form changes to zerbrochene for masculine singular nouns (Der zerbrochene Stuhl). The neuter and feminine forms differ as zerbrochenes (neuter) and zerbrochene (feminine), and the plural form is zerbrochene regardless of gender in the nominative/accusative plural.

Usage notes: zerbrochener commonly appears in everyday speech and writing to label damaged items such as glass, ceramics, or furniture. It can also appear in metaphorical phrases like zerbrochener Traum or zerbrochene Beziehung to express emotional or aspirational ruin.

Examples: Ein zerbrochener Teller lag auf dem Boden. Der zerbrochene Spiegel hing schief. In metaphorical use: ein zerbrochener Traum wurde aufgegeben.

See also: zerbrechen, zerbrochen, zerbrechlich, Scherbe.