to tear down / tear off / break off
Loading your saved state.
to tear down
To systematically destroy and remove a building or another structure; to demolish.
Das alte, baufällige Haus an der Ecke wird nächste Woche abgerissen.
The old, dilapidated house on the corner will be torn down next week.
to tear off
To separate something from a larger whole by tearing it, for example a sheet of paper from a pad.
Er riss den Zettel mit der Telefonnummer von seinem Notizblock ab.
He tore the note with the phone number off his notepad.
to break off
To suddenly and unexpectedly stop or be interrupted. Often refers to a connection, contact, or series.
Die Glückssträhne der Mannschaft ist nach drei Siegen in Folge abgerissen.
The team's winning streak broke off after three victories in a row.
'Abreißen' (to tear down / tear off / break off) is a separable verb. The prefix 'ab-' goes to the end of the main clause. In subordinate clauses and in the infinitive with 'zu', the verb stays together.
Die Baufirma reißt das alte Lagerhaus ab.
The construction company is tearing down the old warehouse.
In the meaning of 'demolieren' (to demolish), 'abreißen' (to tear down) is used almost exclusively for buildings and large structures. Typical objects are 'ein Gebäude' (a building), 'ein Haus' (a house), 'eine Brücke' (a bridge), or 'eine Mauer' (a wall).
Die alte Fabrik wurde letztes Jahr abgerissen.
The old factory was torn down last year.
This meaning is metaphorical and is used for abstract things. The subject is often the thing that stops, not a person. Typical subjects are 'der Kontakt' (contact), 'die Verbindung' (connection), 'das Gespräch' (the conversation), or 'eine Serie' (a series).
Nach dem Streit ist der Kontakt zwischen ihnen abgerissen.
After the argument, contact between them broke off.
to cancel / break off
Both words can refer to a connection or contact that is no longer in place. Abbrechen usually emphasizes a consciously ended action, while abreißen highlights a sudden or unexpected end. When someone ends it themselves, they can say “abbrechen”; when it ends unexpectedly, “abreißen” is often more appropriate.
Wegen des schlechten Tons riss die Telefonverbindung plötzlich ab.
The phone connection suddenly broke off because of the poor sound quality.
Wegen des schlechten Tons musste ich das Telefongespräch abbrechen.
I had to end the phone call because of the poor sound quality.
