ab|reißen
Translation
to demolish, to tear off, to break off (contact)
Examples
Das alte Haus wird abgerissen.
The old house is being demolished.
Er riss ein Blatt Papier ab.
He tore off a sheet of paper.
Der Kontakt ist plötzlich abgerissen.
The contact suddenly broke off.
Grammar Patterns
((sth.)) abreißen to demolish sth. The old house is being demolished.
((sth.)) abreißen to tear sth. off He tore off a sheet of paper.
abreißen to break off (contact) The contact broke off.
Similar Words
Synonyms: demolieren, zerstören; Antonyms: aufbauen, errichten
Etymology
From the prefix 'ab-' (off, down) + 'reißen' (to tear, rip). Literally 'to tear off/down'.
Memory Tips
Picture 'tearing down' a building or 'tearing off' a piece of paper. The prefix 'ab-' indicates removal.