to break through / break in two
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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.
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
'brechen' and 'durchbrechen' are closely related because both can express breaking or overcoming something. 'brechen' says generally that something hard breaks or comes apart into pieces. 'durchbrechen' is more specific: something breaks all the way through at one point, or someone forcefully overcomes a barrier, a line, or even an old pattern. Learners may confuse the words because 'durchbrechen' can seem like a stronger form of 'brechen'. But 'durchbrechen' only fits when an obstacle is really forced through or a boundary is overcome.
Die Feuerwehr durchbrach die Tür, um in die Wohnung zu kommen.
The fire department broke through the door to get into the apartment.
Der dünne Ast bricht, wenn man sich daraufstellt.
The thin branch will break if you stand on it.