anbrechen
to dawn
The beginning of a new period of time, especially a day, a night, or a new era.
EXAMPLE
Als der Morgen anbrach, machten sich die Wanderer auf den Weg.
When morning dawned, the hikers set off.
anbrechen
to dawn / to open / to crack
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Meanings
anbrechen
to open
To open a new, unopened package of something, usually food or drinks, for the first time and use part of it.
EXAMPLE
Sollen wir für die Gäste die neue Flasche Wein anbrechen?
Should we open the new bottle of wine for the guests?
anbrechen
to crack
To partially break a bone or an object so that a crack forms, but it does not break all the way through.
EXAMPLE
Beim Sturz vom Fahrrad hat er sich den Arm nur angebrochen.
When he fell off his bike, he only cracked his arm.
Usage tips
Separable verb
'Anbrechen' (to dawn/to open/to crack) is a separable verb. In a main clause, the prefix 'an-' moves to the end of the sentence. In subordinate clauses and in the infinitive with 'zu', the verb stays together.
EXAMPLE
Ein neuer Tag bricht an.
A new day dawns.
Different auxiliary verbs
Pay attention to the auxiliary verb in the perfect tense! When a period of time begins, 'sein' (to be) is used. When someone opens a package or cracks/breaks something, 'haben' (to have) is used.
EXAMPLE
Die neue Ära ist angebrochen.
The new era has dawned.
Context clue
You can recognize the meaning from the subject of the sentence. If the subject is a time expression like 'der Tag' (the day) or 'die Nacht' (the night), it is about the beginning. If the subject is a person, it is about opening a package or about an injury.
EXAMPLE
Der letzte Tag des Urlaubs brach an.
The last day of vacation dawned.
Typical subjects
When a period of time begins, 'anbrechen' (to dawn) is often used with subjects like 'der Morgen' (the morning), 'der Tag' (the day), 'die Nacht' (the night), or also figuratively with 'ein neues Zeitalter' (a new age) or 'eine neue Ära' (a new era).
EXAMPLE
Mit dieser Erfindung ist ein neues Zeitalter angebrochen.
With this invention, a new age has dawned.
Reflexive usage
When it refers to an injury, the verb is often used reflexively with the dative: 'sich etwas anbrechen' (to crack/fracture something). The injured person is the subject, and the body part is in the accusative.
EXAMPLE
Er hat sich beim Fußballspielen den Zeh angebrochen.
He cracked his toe while playing soccer.
Compare with
anbrechen vs beginnen
to begin
Beginnen refers neutrally to the start of a period of time. Anbrechen is used especially with a day, night, or era in a vivid, figurative way and puts the new period itself in the foreground. Beginnen is suitable for a matter-of-fact reference to a time; anbrechen fits a vivid transition.
anbrechen
Über dem stillen Dorf bricht langsam ein neuer Tag an.
A new day slowly dawns over the quiet village.
beginnen
Der neue Tag beginnt für die Bäckerin schon um vier Uhr.
For the baker, the new day begins as early as four o’clock.
In real life
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