01
gebrochen
broken
Physically broken into two or more pieces or cracked.
example
Nach dem Sturz vom Fahrrad war sein Arm gebrochen.
After falling off his bike, his arm was broken.
gebrochen
broken
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Meanings
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Usage tips
Word structure
'Gebrochen' (broken) is the past participle of the verb 'brechen' (to break). All meanings of 'gebrochen' (broken) derive from the idea of breaking or interruption, whether with a bone, language, or a heart.
EXAMPLE
Vorsicht, das Glas kann leicht brechen.
Careful, the glass can break easily.
Context clue
The noun described by 'gebrochen' (broken) determines the meaning. A 'gebrochener Arm' (broken arm) is physically damaged, 'gebrochenes Deutsch' (broken German) refers to language, and a 'gebrochenes Herz' (broken heart) refers to a feeling.
EXAMPLE
Er hat sich das Bein gebrochen.
He broke his leg.
Typical combinations
When referring to language, 'gebrochen' (broken) is almost always combined with a language or the word 'Sprache' (language) itself. You say 'in gebrochenem Deutsch sprechen' (to speak in broken German) or 'sein Englisch ist gebrochen' (his English is broken).
EXAMPLE
Er konnte seine Geschichte nur in gebrochenem Deutsch erzählen.
He could only tell his story in broken German.
Figurative meaning
In the figurative sense, 'gebrochen' (broken) describes a state of deep grief or discouragement. Typical expressions are 'ein gebrochener Mann/eine gebrochene Frau' (a broken man/a broken woman) or 'ein gebrochenes Herz' (a broken heart).
EXAMPLE
Seit dem Tod ihrer Partnerin ist sie eine gebrochene Frau.
Since the death of her partner, she has been a broken woman.
Technical language
The expression 'gebrochene Schrift' (blackletter script) is a technical term from typography and refers to certain historical typefaces such as Fraktur. It is used only in this specific context.
EXAMPLE
Die alte Urkunde war in gebrochener Schrift verfasst.
The old document was written in blackletter script.
Compare with
gebrochen vs ganz
whole / quite
'ganz' and 'gebrochen' can be opposites when talking about something complete or undamaged. 'ganz' then means that something is complete or intact. 'gebrochen' means that something is broken or no longer in one piece. The words can also be confused in mathematics: a 'ganze Zahl' (whole number) is not a fraction, while a 'gebrochene Zahl' (fractional number) is a fraction. In everyday life, for things like glass, plates, or bones, you use 'ganz' for intact and 'gebrochen' for broken or fractured.
gebrochen
In der Werkstatt liegt ein gebrochener Metallstab auf dem Tisch.
There is a broken metal rod lying on the table in the workshop.
ganz
Die Tasse ist nach dem Umzug noch ganz.
The cup is still intact after the move.
In real life
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