zerbrechen
Translation
to break, to shatter, to fracture
Examples
Das Glas kann leicht zerbrechen.
The glass can break easily.
Er hat den Stock zerbrochen.
He broke the stick.
Sie zerbricht sich den Kopf über das Problem.
She is racking her brains over the problem.
Grammar Patterns
((sth.)) to break sth. He broke the stick.
sich ((den Kopf)) zerbrechen to rack one's brains over sth. She is racking her brains over the problem.
Similar Words
zerstören (to destroy), kaputtmachen (to break); Antonyms: reparieren (to repair), heilen (to heal)
Etymology
Prefix 'zer-' (apart, into pieces) + 'brechen' (to break). Literally 'to break apart'.
Memory Tips
The prefix 'zer-' often implies a destructive or complete action. Picture something breaking into many pieces.