brechen
Translation
to break, to fracture, to vomit, to violate
Examples
Er bricht das Brot.
He breaks the bread.
Sie hat sich das Bein gebrochen.
She has broken her leg.
Er hat sein Versprechen gebrochen.
He has broken his promise.
Die Wellen brechen am Ufer.
The waves break on the shore.
Grammar Patterns
((sth.)) to break sth. He breaks a stick.
sich ((dat.)) ((sth.acc.)) to break one's (own body part) I broke my arm.
((a promise/law)) to break (a promise/law) He broke the law.
Similar Words
Synonyms: zerbrechen, kaputtmachen; Antonyms: heilen, reparieren
Etymology
From Old High German 'brehhan', related to English 'break'. The core meaning is a forceful separation.
Memory Tips
Think of 'breaking' a rule, a bone, or bread. The core idea is a forceful split or separation.