interruption
die Unterbrechung, die Unterbrechungen
Loading your saved state.
interruption
A temporary pause or disruption in a process, activity, or connection.
Wegen einer technischen Störung kam es zu einer kurzen Unterbrechung des Programms.
Because of a technical problem, there was a brief interruption in the program.
| gender | feminine die |
|---|---|
| plural | die Unterbrechungen |
| genitive | der Unterbrechung |
| singular | plural | |
|---|---|---|
| nominative | die Unterbrechung | die Unterbrechungen |
| accusative | die Unterbrechung | die Unterbrechungen |
| dative | der Unterbrechung | den Unterbrechungen |
| genitive | der Unterbrechung | der Unterbrechungen |
The article changes with the case; it is shown in colour.
The noun 'die Unterbrechung' (the interruption) is derived directly from the verb 'unterbrechen' (to interrupt). The verb means to stop something that is currently happening. The ending '-ung' turns the verb into a feminine noun.
Bitte nicht stören, ich möchte ohne Unterbrechung arbeiten.
Please don't disturb me; I want to work without interruption.
Common adjectives used with 'Unterbrechung' (interruption) are 'kurz' (short/brief), 'lang' (long), 'plötzlich' (sudden), or 'technisch' (technical). People also speak of an 'Unterbrechung der Stromversorgung' (interruption of the power supply) or 'des Gesprächs' (of the conversation).
Nach einer kurzen Unterbrechung ging die Vorstellung weiter.
After a brief interruption, the performance continued.
A very common formulation is 'es kommt zu einer Unterbrechung' (there is an interruption). This impersonal construction is often used to report a disruption.
Aufgrund des Sturms kam es zu einer Unterbrechung der Zugverbindung.
Because of the storm, there was an interruption in the train connection.
break / pause
Both die Pause and die Unterbrechung refer to a temporary suspension of an activity. A Pause is usually taken deliberately for rest or to do something else; an Unterbrechung can also be unplanned and disrupt the process.
Um zwölf Uhr kommt es bei der Arbeit wegen eines Stromausfalls zu einer Unterbrechung.
At noon, a power outage causes an interruption at work.
Um zwölf Uhr machen wir bei der Arbeit eine geplante Pause.
At noon, we’re taking a scheduled break at work.
