verb

abbrechen

cancel · break off

Etwas früher beenden oder nicht weiter machen.

Definition & meaning

The verb abbrechen is a versatile German word with several primary meanings:

To break off or snap: This refers to physically detaching a part of something, usually by force or as a result of stress. It can be applied to objects (like a branch from a tree) or parts of the body (like a fingernail).
To discontinue or terminate: This refers to stopping an ongoing process, event, or activity before it is finished. Examples include canceling a journey, stopping a negotiation, or abandoning a construction project.
To break off a relationship: It can figuratively mean ending a social or professional contact with someone suddenly.

Grammar & Word origin

abbrechen is a separable, irregular verb. Its conjugation follows the pattern of brechen (to break).

Present tense: ich breche ab, du brichst ab, er/sie/es bricht ab.
Past tense (Präteritum): ich brach ab.
Perfect tense (Perfekt): ich habe abgebrochen.

Etymology: The word is composed of the prefix ab- (meaning off, away, or down) and the verb brechen (to break). The prefix ab- in this context emphasizes the separation of a fragment from the whole or the cessation of a continuous action.