durch|brechen / durchbrechen
Translation
to break through, to breach, to snap, to break in two
Examples
Die Sonne durchbrach die Wolken.
The sun broke through the clouds.
Er brach den Stock in der Mitte durch.
He broke the stick in the middle.
Die Demonstranten durchbrachen die Polizeikette.
The protesters broke through the police line.
Grammar Patterns
((sth.)) durchbrechen (separable) to break (sth.) in two He broke the stick through.
((sth.)) durchbrechen (inseparable) to break through (sth.) The sun broke through the clouds.
Similar Words
Etymology
From 'durch' (through) + 'brechen' (to break). As a separable verb (durch|brechen), it means to physically break in two. As an inseparable verb (durchbrechen), it means to breach or break through a barrier.
Memory Tips
Think of separable 'durch|brechen' as breaking something 'through' its middle. Think of inseparable 'durchbrechen' as breaking 'through' an obstacle like a wall or clouds.