to interrupt
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to interrupt
To disturb someone while they are speaking or doing an activity and force them to stop temporarily.
Entschuldigung, ich möchte Sie nur ungern unterbrechen, aber das Telefon ist für Sie.
Excuse me, I really don't want to interrupt you, but the phone is for you.
to interrupt / pause
To stop an action, process, or connection for a certain time, often with the intention of continuing it later.
Wir unterbrechen die Sendung für eine wichtige Eilmeldung.
We interrupt this program for an important breaking news report.
to interrupt / block
To disconnect or block a physical line or connection, such as an electrical circuit or a road.
Ein umgestürzter Baum hat die Bahnstrecke unterbrochen.
A fallen tree interrupted the railway line.
The prefix 'unter-' is inseparable here. It stays directly attached to the verb 'brechen' (to break) in all sentence forms. The stress is on the second syllable: unterbréchen.
Er unterbricht mich ständig.
He constantly interrupts me.
The verb 'unterbrechen' (to interrupt) is always used with an accusative object. You ask: Wen oder was unterbrichst du? (Whom or what are you interrupting?)
Bitte unterbrich den Film nicht, er ist so spannend.
Please don't interrupt the film; it's so exciting.
The object reveals the meaning: If you interrupt a person, you disturb them. If you interrupt an action (e.g. work), you pause it. If you interrupt a line, you physically disconnect it.
Könntest du bitte aufhören, mich zu unterbrechen?
Could you please stop interrupting me?
When it is about pausing an activity, 'unterbrechen' (to interrupt/pause) is often used with words like 'Arbeit' (work), 'Studium' (studies), 'Reise' (trip), or 'Gespräch' (conversation).
Sie musste ihr Studium aus gesundheitlichen Gründen für ein Jahr unterbrechen.
She had to interrupt her studies for a year for health reasons.
to separate
Both verbs are possible when referring to a connection. „Unterbrechen“ emphasizes that the connection is out of operation only temporarily and may be restored later, whereas „trennen“ more typically refers to ending the connection itself. Use „unterbrechen“ for a temporary pause and „trennen“ when the connection is disconnected.
Wegen des Gewitters unterbrach der Techniker die Stromverbindung, setzte sie aber später wieder in Betrieb.
Because of the thunderstorm, the technician interrupted the power connection but restored it later.
Wegen des Gewitters trennte der Techniker die Stromverbindung.
Because of the thunderstorm, the technician disconnected the power connection.
