icebreaker
Loading your saved state.
icebreaker
A special ship with a reinforced hull that is built to travel through frozen waters and clear a navigable channel for other ships.
Im Winter hält ein Eisbrecher den Hafen für die Containerschiffe offen.
In winter, an icebreaker keeps the harbor open for the container ships.
icebreaker
An action, question, or joke that serves to overcome initial reserve in a stiff or tense social situation and start a conversation.
Seine lustige Frage über das seltsame Bild an der Wand war der perfekte Eisbrecher.
His funny question about the strange picture on the wall was the perfect icebreaker.
'Der Eisbrecher' (the icebreaker) is a compound noun made up of 'das Eis' (the ice) and 'brechen' (to break). Literally, it is something or someone that breaks ice. This logic applies both to the ship and to the figurative social meaning.
Ein gemeinsames Lachen kann ein guter Eisbrecher sein.
Shared laughter can be a good icebreaker.
You can tell from the context whether the ship or the social action is meant. If it is about shipping, harbors, winter, or seas, the ship is meant. If it is about parties, meetings, conversations, or shy people, the social meaning is meant.
Der Eisbrecher erreichte am Morgen den zugefrorenen Hafen.
The icebreaker reached the frozen harbor in the morning.
In the social meaning, the word is often used in fixed expressions. Typical ones are 'als Eisbrecher dienen' (to serve as an icebreaker), 'ein guter Eisbrecher sein' (to be a good icebreaker), or 'einen Eisbrecher brauchen' (to need an icebreaker).
Ein kleines Spiel diente als Eisbrecher, um die Stimmung aufzulockern.
A small game served as an icebreaker to loosen up the atmosphere.
