hereinbrechen
set in
Plötzlich anfangen oder eintreten, meist bei etwas Unerwartetem wie einem Sturm oder einer schwierigen Situation.
Definition & meaning
The verb "hereinbrechen" primarily refers to the sudden, forceful, or inevitable onset of an event or condition. It is most commonly used in the following contexts:
- Natural phenomena: It describes the beginning of darkness, night, or a season. For example, when the night "hereinbricht," it means it is falling or setting in. It is also used for the sudden arrival of a storm or cold weather.
- Sudden misfortune: It is frequently used metaphorically to describe disasters, crises, or bad news that suddenly affect someone. If a catastrophe "hereinbricht," it suggests that the event was overwhelming and unexpected.
- Literal collapse: Less commonly, it can mean to physically cave in or collapse into a space, though the verb einbrechen is more frequent for this specific meaning.
Grammar & Word origin
"Hereinbrechen" is a separable strong verb (trennbares Verb). Its forms are:
- Present: bricht herein
- Preterite: brach herein
- Perfect: ist hereingebrochen
The verb uses "sein" as its auxiliary verb because it describes a change of state or a process.
The word is a compound of:
- "herein": A prefix meaning "inward" or "towards the speaker/observer."
- "brechen": To break. The combination suggests something "breaking through" a barrier to enter the current reality or environment.
Synonyms & antonyms
Synonyms:
- Regarding the start of time or weather: anbrechen, einsetzen, heraufziehen.
- Regarding misfortune: ereilen, über jemanden kommen.
- Regarding physical entry: eindringen, einfallen.
Antonyms:
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Examples
Als der Winter plötzlich hereinbrach, wurden die Tage viel kürzer.verb
When winter suddenly set in, the days became much shorter.
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