brak
Translation
fallow, idle, unused, brackish
Examples
Das Feld liegt seit einem Jahr brak.
The field has been lying fallow for a year.
Das Wasser in der Flussmündung ist brak.
The water in the river mouth is brackish.
Grammar Patterns
((sth.)) lies fallow/idle The factory has been lying idle since the crisis.
Similar Words
unbebaut (uncultivated), ungenutzt (unused)
Etymology
From Middle Low German 'brāke' (a breach), related to 'brechen' (to break). Refers to land that has been 'broken' but not yet sown.
Memory Tips
Think of land taking a 'break'. For the water meaning, it sounds very similar to the English word 'brackish'.