der Bruch
fracture
The breaking of a bone in the body; a fracture.
EXAMPLE
Beim Skifahren hat er sich einen komplizierten Bruch im Bein zugezogen.
He suffered a complicated fracture in his leg while skiing.
der Bruch
break / fracture / fraction
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Meanings
der Bruch
breach
The violation or non-observance of a rule, contract, promise, or agreement.
EXAMPLE
Sein Verhalten war ein klarer Bruch mit unseren Prinzipien.
His behavior was a clear breach of our principles.
der Bruch
break
The abrupt end of a relationship, friendship, or political cooperation.
EXAMPLE
Nach dem heftigen Streit kam es zum endgültigen Bruch zwischen den beiden Freundinnen.
After the heated argument, there was a final break between the two friends.
der Bruch
break / crack
The place where something hard or brittle has broken; a crack or fissure.
EXAMPLE
Durch den Bruch in der Vase sickerte langsam das Wasser.
Water slowly seeped through the crack in the vase.
der Bruch
fraction
In mathematics, a number that represents part of a whole and consists of a numerator and a denominator.
EXAMPLE
Die Aufgabe war, den Bruch drei Viertel in eine Dezimalzahl umzuwandeln.
The task was to convert the fraction three quarters into a decimal number.
der Bruch
hernia
In medicine, the protrusion of intestines or tissue through a congenital or acquired opening, e.g., an inguinal hernia.
EXAMPLE
Der Arzt diagnostizierte einen leichten Bruch und riet zu einer Operation.
The doctor diagnosed a mild hernia and recommended surgery.
der Bruch
quarry
A place where stone is extracted on a large scale; a quarry.
EXAMPLE
Der Marmor für das Gebäude stammt aus einem nahegelegenen Bruch.
The marble for the building comes from a nearby quarry.
Usage tips
Word family
'Der Bruch' is the noun corresponding to the strong verb 'brechen' (to break). Almost all meanings of 'Bruch' derive from the idea that something breaks—literally or figuratively.
EXAMPLE
Das Brechen des Glases verursachte einen lauten Knall.
The breaking of the glass caused a loud bang.
Compound formation
'Bruch' is often part of compound nouns that make the meaning more precise. The first word explains what is broken: 'Beinbruch' (broken leg / bone fracture), 'Vertragsbruch' (breach of contract), 'Steinbruch' (quarry).
EXAMPLE
Ein Ehebruch kann zur Scheidung führen.
Adultery can lead to divorce.
Typical phrase
In the medical sense ('Knochenbruch' = bone fracture), the phrase 'sich einen Bruch zuziehen' (to suffer a fracture) is often used.
EXAMPLE
Beim Fußball hat er sich einen komplizierten Bruch zugezogen.
He suffered a complicated fracture while playing soccer.
Typical collocations
When it is about the violation of rules, 'Bruch' often appears with a genitive or in a compound. Typical examples are: 'der Bruch des Gesetzes' (the breaking of the law), 'ein Vertrauensbruch' (a breach of trust), or 'ein Regelbruch' (a rule violation).
EXAMPLE
Das war ein klarer Bruch seines Versprechens.
That was a clear breach of his promise.
Sentence structure with preposition
When the end of a relationship is meant, the preposition 'mit' (with) or 'zwischen' (between) is often used: 'der Bruch mit jemandem' (the break with someone) or 'der Bruch zwischen zwei Parteien' (the break between two parties).
EXAMPLE
Der Streit führte zum Bruch zwischen den beiden Geschäftspartnern.
The argument led to a break between the two business partners.
Math context clue
In the context of mathematics, numbers, numerators, or denominators, 'Bruch' always means 'fraction'.
EXAMPLE
In der Grundschule lernt man, wie man mit Brüchen rechnet.
In elementary school, you learn how to calculate with fractions.
Geology context clue
When stones, rock, or the extraction of materials are being discussed, 'Bruch' means 'Steinbruch' (quarry).
EXAMPLE
Aus diesem Bruch stammt der Sandstein für die Kirche.
The sandstone for the church comes from this quarry.
Compare with
Bruch vs Trennung
separation
Trennung and Bruch can both refer to the end of a relationship. Trennung sounds neutral and initially describes the end of the relationship, while Bruch usually suggests an abrupt and conflict-ridden break. Use Trennung for a factual description and Bruch when the argument or the harsh break is important.
Bruch
Nach dem heftigen Streit kam es zum Bruch zwischen den beiden Freunden.
After the heated argument, the two friends broke off their friendship.
Trennung
Nach vielen Gesprächen entschieden sie sich in gegenseitigem Einvernehmen für die Trennung.
After many discussions, they mutually agreed to end the relationship.
In real life
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