Meaning 1neutral · 82%
To break into pieces, or to break something hard through pressure or force.
Natural examples
Das Glas zerbrach, als es auf den Boden fiel.
The glass broke when it fell onto the floor.
Sie hat die alte Tasse beim Abwaschen zerbrochen.
She broke the old cup while washing dishes.
Der Ast zerbrach unter dem Gewicht des Schnees.
The branch broke under the weight of the snow.
Usage note
zerbrechen is strong: zerbrach, zerbrochen. It takes sein intransitively and haben transitively in the perfect.
Mini-lesson: zerbrechen
To break into pieces, or to break something hard through pressure or force. zerbrechen is strong: zerbrach, zerbrochen. It takes sein intransitively and haben transitively in the perfect.
Check your learning
Choose one answer.Which definition matches «zerbrechen»?