zerbrochen
broken
Split into several pieces or broken in two; no longer whole or usable.
EXAMPLE
Das zerbrochene Glas lag auf dem Küchenboden.
The broken glass lay on the kitchen floor.
zerbrochen
broken
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Meanings
zerbrochen
emotionally broken
Deeply hurt or emotionally burdened, so that someone can no longer feel carefree.
EXAMPLE
Nach dem Tod ihres Mannes war sie seelisch zerbrochen.
After her husband's death, she was emotionally broken.
zerbrochen
broken
No longer intact or permanently ended, especially a relationship, marriage, or hope.
EXAMPLE
Nach diesem Streit war ihre Ehe endgültig zerbrochen.
After that argument, their marriage was broken beyond repair.
Forms
Forms adapted from the German Wiktionary entry zerbrochen, by Wiktionary contributors, licence CC BY-SA 4.0.
Comparison
| basic form | zerbrochen |
|---|
After der, die, das
| masc. | fem. | neut. | plural | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| nom. | -e | -e | -e | -en |
| acc. | -en | -e | -e | -en |
| dat. | -en | -en | -en | -en |
| gen. | -en | -en | -en | -en |
Add the ending to zerbrochen.
After ein, eine
| masc. | fem. | neut. | plural | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| nom. | -er | -e | -es | -en |
| acc. | -en | -e | -es | -en |
| dat. | -en | -en | -en | -en |
| gen. | -en | -en | -en | -en |
Add the ending to zerbrochen.
Without article
| masc. | fem. | neut. | plural | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| nom. | -er | -e | -es | -e |
| acc. | -en | -e | -es | -e |
| dat. | -em | -er | -em | -en |
| gen. | -en | -er | -en | -er |
Add the ending to zerbrochen.
Usage tips
Word structure
'Zerbrochen' (broken) belongs to the word family of 'zerbrechen' (to break). The prefix 'zer-' often indicates destruction or something coming apart; with 'zerbrochen' (broken), this idea can be literal or figurative.
EXAMPLE
Die zerbrochene Vase musste weggeworfen werden.
The broken vase had to be thrown away.
Context clue
With objects, 'zerbrochen' (broken) describes visible physical damage. With people, words such as 'innerlich' (inwardly) or 'seelisch' (emotionally) indicate a figurative meaning; with a marriage, relationship, or hope, it describes something that is no longer intact.
EXAMPLE
Das zerbrochene Spielzeug lag neben dem Bett.
The broken toy lay beside the bed.
Nach der langen Krise fühlte er sich innerlich zerbrochen.
After the long crisis, he felt emotionally broken.
Ihre zerbrochene Beziehung belastete beide noch lange.
Their broken relationship continued to weigh on both of them for a long time.
Typical collocations
In its literal sense, 'zerbrochen' (broken) is often used with things made of glass or ceramic, as well as objects that can break into pieces.
EXAMPLE
In der Spüle lag eine zerbrochene Tasse.
There was a broken cup in the sink.
Emotional collocations
In its figurative sense, 'zerbrochen' (broken) is often accompanied by 'innerlich' (inwardly) or 'seelisch' (emotionally). Typical contexts include a devastating loss, a traumatic experience, or prolonged stress.
EXAMPLE
Als innerlich zerbrochener Mann kehrte er aus dem Krieg zurück.
He returned from the war an emotionally broken man.
In real life
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