to break through / break in two
Loading your saved state.
to break in two
To break apart in the middle or at a specific point. In this meaning, it is a separable verb with the stress on 'durch-'.
Der alte Ast ist unter der Schneelast einfach durchgebrochen.
The old branch simply broke in two under the weight of the snow.
to break through
To force through and overcome a barrier, resistance, or line. In this meaning, it is an inseparable verb with the stress on '-brechen'.
Die Sonnenstrahlen durchbrachen die dichte Wolkendecke.
The rays of sunlight broke through the thick cloud cover.
to break
Figuratively, to overcome or end a structure, pattern, or tradition. This is also the inseparable form of the verb.
Er hat den Teufelskreis der Armut durchbrochen und ein erfolgreiches Unternehmen gegründet.
He broke the cycle of poverty and founded a successful company.
This verb is separable or inseparable depending on its meaning. Separable, with stress on 'durch', it means 'to break in two'. Inseparable, with stress on '-brechen', it means 'to penetrate a barrier'.
Vorsicht, der dünne Bleistift bricht leicht durch.
Careful, the thin pencil breaks in two easily.
The separable form 'durchbrechen' (to break in two) is intransitive; it has no accusative object. The inseparable form 'durchbrechen' (to break through) is transitive and always needs an accusative object.
Das Eis auf dem See ist gestern durchgebrochen.
The ice on the lake broke through yesterday.
The separable form is typically used for long, rigid objects that break into two parts, for example a branch, a board, or a pen.
Als ich mich darauf lehnte, ist das alte Holzbrett durchgebrochen.
When I leaned on it, the old wooden board broke in two.
The inseparable form is often used with barriers or obstacles. Typical objects are 'die Schallmauer' (the sound barrier), 'eine Blockade' (a blockade), 'die Wolkendecke' (the cloud cover), or, figuratively, 'das Schweigen' (the silence).
Nach langem Schweigen durchbrach sie die Stille mit einer Frage.
After a long silence, she broke the silence with a question.
to break
Durchbrechen and zerbrechen can both mean that an object breaks. Durchbrechen emphasizes the specific point at which it breaks apart; zerbrechen more generally refers to breaking or falling apart into pieces.
Die lange Holzlatte brach genau an der markierten Stelle durch.
The long wooden slat broke in two exactly at the marked spot.
Die lange Holzlatte fiel zu Boden und zerbrach in mehrere Stücke.
The long wooden slat fell to the ground and broke into several pieces.
