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
Composed of 'durch' (through) and 'brechen' (to break). The separable form, 'durch|brechen', means to break something in half. The inseparable form, 'durchbrechen', means to breach or break through something abstract or a barrier.
Memory Tips
Visualize the separable form as snapping a stick 'through' its center. For the inseparable form, picture the sun breaking 'through' the clouds.