01
abgebrochen
canceled
Describes an action, process, or project that was ended before the planned end.
example
Das Fußballspiel wurde wegen des starken Gewitters abgebrochen.
The soccer match was canceled because of the severe thunderstorm.
abgebrochen
canceled / broken off
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Meanings
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Usage tips
Participle of the verb
'Abgebrochen' is the past participle of the separable verb 'abbrechen' (to break off / to cancel). The structure 'ab-ge-brochen' is typical for the participle of separable verbs.
EXAMPLE
Er hat sein Studium nach zwei Semestern abgebrochen.
He dropped out of his studies after two semesters.
Context clue
The noun that 'abgebrochen' describes reveals the meaning. If it refers to an event, such as 'Spiel' (game) or 'Gespräch' (conversation), it was ended. If it refers to an object, such as 'Ast' (branch) or 'Griff' (handle), a part is broken. If it refers to education or training, such as 'Studium' (university studies), it was not completed.
EXAMPLE
Die Verhandlungen wurden ergebnislos abgebrochen.
The negotiations were broken off without results.
Typical collocations
In the meaning 'ended early', 'abgebrochen' is often used for processes and events, e.g. 'eine abgebrochene Reise' (a canceled trip), 'ein abgebrochenes Experiment' (an aborted experiment), or 'ein abgebrochener Kontakt' (broken-off contact).
EXAMPLE
Nach dem Streit herrschte zwischen ihnen nur noch abgebrochener Kontakt.
After the argument, there was only broken-off contact between them.
Compare with
abgebrochen vs abgeschlossen
completed / locked
'abgeschlossen' and 'abgebrochen' can both say that something is no longer continuing. The important difference is the reason and the result. 'abgeschlossen' means: something was done through to the planned end and is finished. 'abgebrochen' means: something was stopped before the planned end. Learners may confuse the words because both have to do with an ending. Remember: an 'abgeschlossener Kurs' (completed course) has been successfully finished; an 'abgebrochener Kurs' (abandoned course) was ended early.
abgebrochen
Sie hat die Ausbildung nach einem Jahr abgebrochen.
She dropped out of the training program after one year.
abgeschlossen
Im Kurs hat er das letzte Modul erfolgreich abgeschlossen.
In the course, he successfully completed the final module.
In real life
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