zerspringen en 30 secondes
- Zerspringen describes brittle objects like glass breaking into many small pieces.
- It is an intransitive verb and always uses 'sein' as its auxiliary verb.
- Metaphorically, it describes intense headaches or hearts breaking from strong emotion.
- The prefix 'zer-' indicates destruction, while 'springen' suggests the pieces jumping apart.
The German verb zerspringen is a vivid, high-impact word that describes the sudden and violent disintegration of an object into many small pieces. While a basic learner might simply say something is 'kaputt' (broken), a B1 learner uses zerspringen to convey the intensity and the specific manner of the destruction. It is primarily used for brittle materials that do not just bend or crack but explode into shards, such as glass, porcelain, crystal, or ice. The prefix zer- is one of the most powerful tools in the German language, consistently indicating destruction, dissolution, or separation into pieces. When combined with springen (to jump or spring), the word literally suggests that the pieces 'jump apart' due to internal tension or external force.
- Physical Shuttering
- This is the most common usage. It describes a window hitting the ground, a lightbulb exploding, or a frozen pipe bursting. The emphasis is on the speed and the multiplicity of the resulting fragments.
Als die Kugel das Fenster traf, sah ich das Glas in tausend Stücke zerspringen.
Beyond the physical, zerspringen carries deep metaphorical weight. In German literature and daily conversation, it is frequently used to describe emotional or mental states. If someone says, 'Mein Kopf zerspringt,' they aren't suggesting their skull is literally breaking; rather, they are expressing that a headache or a flurry of thoughts is so intense that it feels like their head might explode. Similarly, a heart can zerspringen from grief (Herzeleid) or even from an excess of joy. This metaphorical use highlights the 'pressure' aspect of the word—the idea that something is being pushed from the inside out until it can no longer hold its form.
- Acoustic Quality
- The word often implies a sharp, loud sound. The 'sp' and 'ng' sounds in the word itself mimic the snapping and ringing of breaking glass, making it an onomatopoeic experience for the speaker.
Die Stille der Nacht wurde unterbrochen, als eine teure Vase auf dem Marmorboden zersprang.
In a technical or scientific context, zerspringen is used to describe material failure under stress. Engineers might talk about how certain alloys might shatter under extreme cold. In nature, you might see this word used when describing the frozen surface of a lake cracking and breaking apart during a spring thaw. It is a word of transition—the moment something moves from a state of unity to a state of chaos. Because it involves a change of state, it always uses the auxiliary verb sein in the perfect tense: ist zersprungen.
Using zerspringen correctly requires an understanding of its grammatical constraints and its preferred subjects. As an intransitive verb, it focuses entirely on the subject undergoing the change. The subject is almost always an object made of a brittle material or a metaphorical concept like a dream, a hope, or a body part under pressure.
- The Perfect Tense (Perfekt)
- Since zerspringen describes a change of state (from whole to shattered), it uses sein as the auxiliary verb. This is a common point of confusion for English speakers who might want to use 'haben'.
Oh nein! Mein Lieblingsglas ist auf dem Küchenboden zersprungen.
In the simple past (Präteritum), the verb becomes zersprang. This is frequently found in narrative texts, novels, and news reports. For example, 'Der Spiegel zersprang in tausend Scherben' (The mirror shattered into a thousand shards). Note the use of the prepositional phrase 'in tausend Stücke' or 'in tausend Scherben', which often accompanies the verb to emphasize the extent of the damage.
- Metaphorical Subjects
- When using the word for emotions or physical sensations, the sentence structure often remains simple, but the impact is profound. 'Mein Herz zerspringt vor Kummer' (My heart is shattering from grief).
Ich habe so starke Kopfschmerzen, ich habe das Gefühl, mein Kopf zerspringt gleich.
One interesting grammatical pattern is the use of the dative of interest or possession. Instead of saying 'My glass shattered,' Germans often say 'The glass shattered to me' (Mir ist das Glas zersprungen). This emphasizes that the event happened to the person, often implying it was an accident or a stroke of bad luck.
In more complex sentence structures, such as passive-like constructions or resultative clauses, zerspringen maintains its position at the end of the clause in subordinate sentences. 'Es war so kalt, dass die Wasserleitungen fast zersprungen wären.' (It was so cold that the water pipes almost burst). Here, we see the subjunctive II (Konjunktiv II) being used to describe a hypothetical situation, showing that the verb is versatile across all moods of German grammar.
- Common Prepositions
- The most common preposition used with zerspringen is 'in' + accusative (e.g., in viele Teile, in tausend Scherben). Occasionally, you might see 'an' + dative to describe where something shattered (e.g., an der Wand zerspringen).
You will encounter zerspringen in a variety of settings, ranging from the mundane reality of a kitchen accident to the lofty heights of classical German poetry. Understanding these contexts helps you recognize the 'vibe' of the word.
- In the Household
- The most likely place to hear this word is in the kitchen or dining room. If someone drops a wine glass or a ceramic plate, the immediate reaction might be: 'Ist es zersprungen?' (Did it shatter?). It implies a mess of small pieces that requires a broom, rather than a clean break that could be glued back together.
Pass auf! Wenn das Wasser zu heiß ist, könnte die Glasschüssel zerspringen.
In literature and music, zerspringen is a favorite of the Romantics. It perfectly captures the fragility of the human soul and the violence of intense emotion. You'll find it in the lyrics of Lieder (art songs) by Schubert or Schumann, often describing a heart that cannot bear the weight of unrequited love. In modern German pop and rock, it's used similarly to describe a relationship 'shattering' or a person's world falling apart.
In the medical field, specifically regarding symptoms, patients use zerspringen to describe 'Vernichtungskopfschmerz' (annihilating headache). If a patient tells a doctor, 'Ich habe das Gefühl, mein Kopf zerspringt,' it is a red flag for a very serious condition, such as a migraine or even a hemorrhage. This usage is common in emergency rooms and GP practices across German-speaking countries.
- Cinematic and Dramatic Usage
- In movies, especially thrillers or dramas, the sound and visual of a mirror zerspringend is a classic trope for a character's mental breakdown. The word is often yelled in moments of high tension: 'Gleich zerspringt hier alles!' (Everything is about to shatter here!).
In dem Film zersprang das Glas in Zeitlupe, was sehr beeindruckend aussah.
Finally, you might hear it in sports, specifically in winter sports. When an ice hockey puck hits the glass at high speed, or when a bobsled hits a wall, commentators might use zerspringen to describe the protective barriers or the ice itself breaking under the immense force. It conveys the power and danger inherent in the sport.
Even advanced learners can trip up on the nuances of zerspringen. The most frequent errors involve confusion with related verbs, incorrect auxiliary verb usage, and misunderstanding the intransitive nature of the word.
- Confusion with 'zerbrechen'
- This is the #1 mistake. Zerbrechen can be both transitive (you break something) and intransitive (something breaks). Zerspringen is ONLY intransitive. Also, zerbrechen can refer to a clean break (two pieces), whereas zerspringen always implies many pieces.
Wrong: Ich habe das Glas zersprungen.
Right: Ich habe das Glas zerbrochen. / Das Glas ist zersprungen.
The second most common mistake is using the wrong auxiliary verb in the perfect tense. Because English uses 'have' for 'has shattered,' learners often say 'hat zersprungen.' However, in German, verbs indicating a change of state or a movement from A to B almost always use sein. Since a whole glass becomes a shattered glass, it is a clear change of state.
- Misusing 'platzen'
- As mentioned before, platzen is for balloons, sausages, or tires. If you say a glass 'platzt,' a German will understand you, but it sounds like the glass was filled with air and popped, which is physically unlikely.
Another subtle mistake is the misapplication of the prefix zer-. Some learners try to add zer- to every verb to mean 'break,' but zerspringen has a very specific 'explosive' quality. You wouldn't use it for a piece of wood (which would zerbrechen or splittern) or a piece of paper (which would zerreißen). It is reserved for 'spröde' (brittle) materials.
The wood zersprang (Incorrect - wood doesn't shatter like glass).
The wood zerbrach (Correct).
Finally, watch out for the conjugation in the past tense. The change from 'i' to 'a' (zerspringen to zersprang) is a strong verb pattern. Weakening it to 'zerspringte' is a common error for beginners but should be avoided by B1 level.
German is a language of precision, especially when it comes to destruction. There are several verbs that are close in meaning to zerspringen, but each carries a slightly different nuance.
- Zersplittern
- Very similar to zerspringen, but it specifically emphasizes the creation of 'Splitter' (splinters or shards). It is often used for wood or safety glass that breaks into many tiny, sharp pieces. While zerspringen describes the event, zersplittern describes the result.
- Zerbrechen
- The general term for 'to break'. It can be used for almost anything—a stick, a law, a record, or a heart. It is less violent than zerspringen and doesn't necessarily imply that the object turned into a hundred pieces.
- Bersten
- A more dramatic, slightly archaic word meaning 'to burst'. It is used when something breaks apart due to massive internal pressure, like a dam or a barrel. It has a very 'heavy' and 'powerful' connotation.
Das Glas zersprang (It shattered).
Der Staudamm berstete (The dam burst).
If you want to be more informal, you can use kaputtgehen. It is the 'catch-all' verb for anything that stops working or breaks. 'Die Vase ist kaputtgegangen' is perfectly fine in daily life, but it lacks the descriptive power of 'Die Vase ist zersprungen'.
- Zerschellen
- This verb is used when something traveling at high speed hits a solid surface and is destroyed. Think of a ship 'zerschellend' on the rocks or a plane crashing. It combines the idea of impact with complete destruction.
When choosing between these, ask yourself: 1. Is it a brittle material? 2. Did it happen suddenly? 3. Did it break into many pieces? If the answer to all three is 'yes', zerspringen is your best choice. If you want to emphasize the sharp shards, go with zersplittern. If you just want to say it's broken, use zerbrechen.
How Formal Is It?
Le savais-tu ?
The prefix 'zer-' is unique because it almost always indicates a negative or destructive outcome, making it very easy to guess the tone of a sentence.
Guide de prononciation
- Pronouncing 'z' as a soft 'z' (like 'zebra') instead of 'ts'.
- Missing the 'sch' sound in 'sp' (it should be 'shp').
- Stressing the 'zer-' prefix instead of the root.
- Pronouncing the final 'en' too clearly (it's often a syllabic 'n').
- Using a hard 'r' instead of the German uvular 'r'.
Niveau de difficulté
Common in literature and news, easy to recognize prefix.
Requires remembering strong verb conjugation and 'sein' auxiliary.
Pronouncing 'ts-er-shp' can be a mouthful for beginners.
Distinctive sound makes it relatively easy to catch.
Quoi apprendre ensuite
Prérequis
Apprends ensuite
Avancé
Grammaire à connaître
The prefix 'zer-' always denotes destruction or separation.
zerbrechen, zerreißen, zerschneiden.
Intransitive verbs of state change use 'sein' in Perfekt.
Das Glas ist zersprungen.
Strong verbs change their stem vowel (i-a-u).
springen - sprang - gesprungen.
Dative of interest 'mir' for accidental events.
Mir ist das Handy zersprungen.
Preposition 'in' + Accusative for resulting state.
In tausend Stücke zerspringen.
Exemples par niveau
Das Glas ist zersprungen.
The glass shattered.
Uses 'ist' (sein) because it's a change of state.
Vorsicht! Das Glas zerspringt.
Careful! The glass is shattering.
Present tense of a strong verb.
Ist die Flasche zersprungen?
Did the bottle shatter?
Question form in Perfekt.
Mein Herz zerspringt.
My heart is shattering.
Metaphorical use, simple present.
Das Eis zerspringt im Winter.
The ice shatters in winter.
Subject + Verb + Time + Place.
Nicht fallen lassen, sonst zerspringt es!
Don't drop it, otherwise it will shatter!
Imperative + 'sonst' + verb.
Die Brille ist zersprungen.
The glasses shattered.
Perfekt tense with 'sein'.
Warum ist das Fenster zersprungen?
Why did the window shatter?
Interrogative sentence.
Das Weinglas ist beim Spülen zersprungen.
The wine glass shattered while washing.
'beim Spülen' means 'during the washing'.
Plötzlich zersprang der Spiegel an der Wand.
Suddenly the mirror on the wall shattered.
Präteritum (past tense) of 'zerspringen'.
Wenn es zu kalt wird, zerspringen die Rohre.
If it gets too cold, the pipes burst.
Conditional 'wenn' clause.
Die Kinder haben Angst, dass das Fenster zerspringt.
The children are afraid that the window will shatter.
Subordinate clause with 'dass'.
Mir ist gestern eine teure Vase zersprungen.
An expensive vase shattered on me yesterday.
Dative of interest 'mir' + 'ist'.
Die Glühbirne ist mit einem Knall zersprungen.
The lightbulb shattered with a bang.
'mit einem Knall' describes the sound.
Ich hoffe, dass mein Handy-Display nicht zerspringt.
I hope that my phone screen doesn't shatter.
Subordinate clause with 'dass'.
Das Eis auf dem See ist unter meinen Füßen zersprungen.
The ice on the lake shattered under my feet.
Prepositional phrase 'unter meinen Füßen'.
Die Kälte war so extrem, dass die Glasflaschen im Auto zersprangen.
The cold was so extreme that the glass bottles in the car shattered.
Consecutive clause with 'so... dass'.
Nach dem Unfall war die Windschutzscheibe komplett zersprungen.
After the accident, the windshield was completely shattered.
State passive or Perfekt with 'war' as a description.
Ich habe solche Kopfschmerzen, dass ich denke, mein Kopf zerspringt gleich.
I have such a headache that I think my head is about to explode.
Metaphorical use in a 'dass' clause.
Als der Opernsänger den hohen Ton sang, zersprang das Glas.
When the opera singer sang the high note, the glass shattered.
Temporal clause with 'als'.
Seine Träume von einer großen Karriere sind zersprungen.
His dreams of a great career have shattered.
Abstract metaphorical use.
Die Diamanten sind so hart, dass sie nicht einfach zerspringen.
Diamonds are so hard that they don't just shatter.
Negative 'nicht einfach'.
Das Porzellan zersprang in tausend kleine Stücke.
The porcelain shattered into a thousand small pieces.
Common phrase 'in tausend kleine Stücke'.
Er hatte das Gefühl, sein Herz würde vor Freude zerspringen.
He felt as if his heart would burst with joy.
Konjunktiv II for indirect thought/feeling.
Durch die enorme Hitze des Feuers zersprangen die Fensterscheiben des Gebäudes.
Due to the enormous heat of the fire, the window panes of the building shattered.
Causal phrase with 'Durch' + accusative.
Die spröde Struktur des Materials führte dazu, dass es unter Belastung zersprang.
The brittle structure of the material caused it to shatter under stress.
Verbal bracket 'führte dazu, dass'.
Es ist ein Wunder, dass die Brille bei dem Sturz nicht zersprungen ist.
It's a miracle that the glasses didn't shatter during the fall.
'Es ist ein Wunder, dass...' construction.
Die Nachricht von seinem Tod ließ ihre Welt in tausend Scherben zerspringen.
The news of his death made her world shatter into a thousand shards.
'lassen' + object + infinitive.
Vermeiden Sie schnelle Temperaturwechsel, damit das Glas nicht zerspringt.
Avoid rapid temperature changes so that the glass doesn't shatter.
Final clause with 'damit'.
Der Druck in der Flasche war so hoch, dass sie schließlich zersprang.
The pressure in the bottle was so high that it finally shattered.
Adverb 'schließlich' (finally).
Man konnte das Zerspringen des Glases bis auf die Straße hören.
You could hear the shattering of the glass all the way to the street.
Nominalized verb 'das Zerspringen'.
Ohne Sicherheitsglas wäre die Scheibe beim Aufprall sofort zersprungen.
Without safety glass, the pane would have shattered immediately upon impact.
Irreal conditional with 'wäre... zersprungen'.
Die fragile Allianz zersprang unter dem Druck der politischen Realität.
The fragile alliance shattered under the pressure of political reality.
Highly abstract metaphorical use.
In seinem Kopf zersprangen die Gedanken wie zerbrechliches Kristall.
In his head, thoughts shattered like fragile crystal.
Simile with 'wie' and 'zerbrechlich'.
Die Kälte ließ den gefrorenen Boden beinahe zerspringen, so hart war er.
The cold almost made the frozen ground shatter, it was so hard.
Inverted 'so... war er' for emphasis.
Mit dem Zerspringen des Spiegels endete auch ihr Aberglaube.
With the shattering of the mirror, her superstition also ended.
Prepositional phrase 'Mit dem Zerspringen'.
Die mühsam aufgebaute Theorie zersprang an einem einzigen Gegenbeweis.
The laboriously constructed theory shattered against a single counter-evidence.
Metaphorical 'zerspringen an' (to shatter against).
Ein gellender Schrei ließ die Stille förmlich zerspringen.
A piercing scream literally made the silence shatter.
Abstract use with 'Stille'.
Durch die Resonanzfrequenz zersprang das Kristallglas ohne jede Berührung.
Due to the resonance frequency, the crystal glass shattered without any touch.
Technical scientific context.
Das morsche Holz zersprang zwar nicht, aber es gab unter der Last nach.
The rotten wood didn't shatter, but it gave way under the load.
Contrastive 'zwar... aber'.
Die ontologische Gewissheit zersprang im Angesicht der absurden Realität.
Ontological certainty shattered in the face of absurd reality.
Academic/Philosophical register.
Wie eine Seifenblase, die am Ende ihrer Zeit zerspringt, so verging sein Ruhm.
Like a soap bubble that shatters at the end of its time, so his fame vanished.
Poetic comparison.
Die spröde Kälte des Januars ließ die Welt wie Glas zerspringen.
The brittle cold of January made the world shatter like glass.
Literary personification of cold.
Sein Ego zersprang an der harten Kritik der Fachjury.
His ego shattered against the harsh criticism of the expert jury.
Abstract use of 'Ego'.
Das Zerspringen der alten Ordnung führte zu einem jahrzehntelangen Chaos.
The shattering of the old order led to decades of chaos.
Nominalized usage in historical context.
In der Lyrik der Romantik zerspringt das Ich oft an der Unendlichkeit der Natur.
In Romantic poetry, the 'I' often shatters against the infinity of nature.
Literary analysis register.
Die fein zersprungene Glasur der Vase zeugte von ihrem hohen Alter.
The finely shattered (cracked) glaze of the vase testified to its great age.
Participial adjective 'zersprungen'.
Es ist, als ob die gesamte Existenz in diesem einen Moment zerspränge.
It is as if all existence were to shatter in this one moment.
Konjunktiv II (Past Subjunctive) for hypothetical comparison.
Collocations courantes
Phrases Courantes
— I have a massive headache or too much on my mind.
Nach zehn Stunden Arbeit zerspringt mir der Kopf.
— To break into a thousand pieces.
Das Glas fiel runter und zersprang in tausend Scherben.
— One's heart is breaking (from grief or joy).
Es zerspringt mir das Herz, wenn ich dich so traurig sehe.
— To be bursting with envy.
Er wird vor Neid zerspringen, wenn er mein neues Auto sieht.
— To cause something to shatter.
Der hohe Ton brachte das Glas zum Zerspringen.
— A fragmented or shattered image/view.
Er hatte nur ein zersprungenes Bild der Realität.
Souvent confondu avec
Zerbrechen is more general and can be transitive. Zerspringen is only for brittle things shattering into many pieces.
Platzen is for balloons/tires (air pressure). Zerspringen is for solid brittle materials.
Zersplittern specifically emphasizes the sharp shards (splinters) created.
Expressions idiomatiques
— My skull is bursting (very strong headache).
Schalt die Musik aus, mir zerspringt der Schädel!
informal— To be so angry you feel like you'll explode.
Sie zersprang fast vor Wut über seine Lüge.
neutral— The heart shatters inside the body (deep grief).
Bei diesem Anblick zersprang ihm das Herz im Leibe.
literary— To be extremely impatient.
Das Kind zersprang vor Ungeduld auf die Geschenke.
neutral— To scatter in all directions (usually of groups or things).
Die Gruppe zersprang nach dem Streit in alle Winde.
figurative— To lose one's composure completely.
Seine ruhige Fassung zersprang unter dem Druck.
literary— To be overwhelmed with happiness.
Ich könnte vor Glück zerspringen!
neutral— Something is extremely fragile and breaks easily.
Ihre Hoffnung zersprang wie Glas.
literary— To run out of patience suddenly.
Jetzt zerspringt mir aber die Geduld!
informalFacile à confondre
Shared root.
Springen means to jump; zerspringen means to shatter. One is movement, the other is destruction.
Der Ball springt. Das Glas zerspringt.
Both start with 'zer-'.
Zerreißen is for paper or cloth (tearing). Zerspringen is for glass (shattering).
Ich zerreiße das Papier. Das Glas zerspringt.
Both mean to break into pieces.
Zerschlagen implies hitting something with force (active). Zerspringen is the result (passive/intransitive).
Er zerschlägt das Fenster. Das Fenster zerspringt.
Both involve shattering.
Zerschellen involves hitting a surface at high speed (like a ship on rocks).
Das Flugzeug zerschellte am Boden.
Both mean breaking apart.
Auseinanderbrechen is usually into two or a few large pieces. Zerspringen is many tiny pieces.
Das Brot brach auseinander.
Structures de phrases
Subjekt + ist + zersprungen.
Die Flasche ist zersprungen.
Mir + ist + Subjekt + zersprungen.
Mir ist das Glas zersprungen.
Subjekt + zersprang + in + [Zahl] + Stücke.
Die Vase zersprang in zwei Stücke.
Subjekt + zerspringt + vor + [Emotion].
Er zerspringt vor Neid.
Das [Nominalisierung] + von + Subjekt...
Das Zerspringen des Glases war laut.
Konjunktiv II for hypothetical shattering.
Es war, als ob die Welt zerspränge.
Subjekt + lässt + Objekt + zerspringen.
Die Hitze lässt das Glas zerspringen.
Subjekt + ist + komplett + zersprungen.
Die Scheibe ist komplett zersprungen.
Famille de mots
Noms
Verbes
Adjectifs
Apparenté
Comment l'utiliser
Common in daily life and literature.
-
Ich habe das Glas zersprungen.
→
Das Glas ist zersprungen.
'Zerspringen' is intransitive; you cannot do it to an object.
-
Das Glas hat zersprungen.
→
Das Glas ist zersprungen.
Verbs of state change use 'sein' as the auxiliary.
-
Der Luftballon ist zersprungen.
→
Der Luftballon ist geplatzt.
'Zerspringen' is for brittle solids, 'platzen' is for air-filled objects.
-
Das Holz ist zersprungen.
→
Das Holz ist zerbrochen / gesplittert.
Wood is not brittle enough to 'shatter' like glass.
-
Ich zerspringe das Fenster.
→
Ich zerschlage das Fenster.
You need a transitive verb like 'zerschlagen' or 'zerbrechen' for the action.
Astuces
Always use 'sein'
Remember: state change = 'sein'. 'Das Glas ist zersprungen' is correct. 'Hat zersprungen' is a common mistake.
Material Matters
Only use 'zerspringen' for brittle materials like glass, ceramic, or ice. Wood or metal don't usually 'zerspringen'.
Headaches
If your headache is really bad, say 'Mein Kopf zerspringt'. It's a very common native expression.
Dramatic Effect
Use 'zersprang in tausend Stücke' to add drama to your stories. It's a classic German literary phrase.
Dative Shortcut
Use 'Mir ist ... zersprungen' to describe something of yours breaking by accident. It sounds very natural.
The Power of Zer-
Learn other 'zer-' verbs like 'zerstören' or 'zerbrechen' to expand your vocabulary of destruction.
Temperature
Use 'zerspringen' when talking about glass breaking due to extreme heat or cold.
Onomatopoeia
The sound of the word 'zerspringen' mimics the sound of glass breaking. Use that to help you remember it!
Bersten vs Zerspringen
Use 'bersten' for dams or pipes, and 'zerspringen' for glasses or mirrors.
Shatterproof
The opposite of 'zerspringen' is 'bruchsicher' or 'zerspringungsfest'.
Mémorise-le
Moyen mnémotechnique
Think of a glass 'jumping' (springen) into pieces (zer-). The 'zer-' is the 'zero' left of the object.
Association visuelle
Visualize a slow-motion video of a crystal glass hitting a concrete floor and 'jumping' into a thousand shards.
Word Web
Défi
Try to use 'zerspringen' in a sentence about a dream that didn't come true and another about a cold drink on a hot day.
Origine du mot
From Middle High German 'zerspringen', combining the intensive prefix 'zer-' (from Old High German 'zir-') with 'springen' (to jump). The prefix 'zer-' expresses the idea of 'asunder' or 'into pieces'.
Sens originel : To jump apart or to burst asunder.
GermanicContexte culturel
No specific sensitivities, but be careful using it for people's feelings in very formal settings.
English uses 'shatter', 'burst', or 'explode'. 'Shatter' is the closest equivalent for glass.
Pratique dans la vie réelle
Contextes réels
Kitchen Accidents
- Das Glas ist zersprungen.
- Pass auf die Scherben auf!
- Ist die Schüssel zersprungen?
- Ich habe die Scherben weggeräumt.
Health/Headaches
- Mir zerspringt der Kopf.
- Mein Schädel zerspringt fast.
- Ich brauche eine Tablette, mein Kopf zerspringt.
- Das Licht lässt meinen Kopf zerspringen.
Emotions
- Mein Herz zerspringt vor Trauer.
- Ich zerspringe fast vor Neid.
- Sie zerspringt vor Stolz.
- Alle Träume sind zersprungen.
Weather/Nature
- Das Eis zerspringt.
- Die Rohre sind zersprungen.
- Der Boden zerspringt vor Trockenheit.
- Steine können bei Hitze zerspringen.
Literature
- Die Welt zersprang in Stücke.
- Ein zersprungener Spiegel.
- Die Stille zersprang.
- Das Ich zerspringt.
Amorces de conversation
"Ist dir schon mal ein teures Glas zersprungen?"
"Was machst du, wenn dir fast der Kopf zerspringt?"
"Glaubst du, dass Scherben wirklich Glück bringen?"
"Hast du schon mal gesehen, wie Eis auf einem See zerspringt?"
"Wann bist du das letzte Mal fast vor Neugier zersprungen?"
Sujets d'écriture
Beschreibe einen Moment, in dem deine Träume zersprungen sind.
Was war das Wertvollste, das dir jemals zersprungen ist?
Schreibe über einen Tag, an dem dir der Kopf vor lauter Arbeit zersprungen ist.
Wie fühlt es sich an, wenn ein Herz vor Freude zerspringt?
Stell dir vor, die Welt wäre aus Glas. Was würde sie zum Zerspringen bringen?
Questions fréquentes
10 questionsNo, that is incorrect. 'Zerspringen' is intransitive. You should say 'Das Glas ist zersprungen' or 'Ich habe das Glas zerbrochen'.
Yes, because it indicates a change of state (from one piece to many). In German, such verbs almost always take 'sein'.
Mostly, but it can also be used for porcelain, crystal, ice, and metaphorically for heads or hearts.
'Platzen' is for things that pop (balloons, sausages), while 'zerspringen' is for hard things that shatter (glass).
It is a strong verb: zerspringen (present), zersprang (past), ist zersprungen (perfect).
Only metaphorically, usually their head (headache) or heart (emotion).
They are very close. 'Zersplittern' focuses on the sharp splinters, while 'zerspringen' describes the act of shattering.
Only for the glass parts (screen, windshield). For the whole machine, use 'kaputtgehen'.
Yes, especially when describing accidents or intense physical sensations like headaches.
It means destruction, dissolution, or breaking into pieces. It's a very useful prefix to know!
Teste-toi 200 questions
Write a sentence about a broken vase using 'zerspringen'.
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How would you tell someone your head hurts using this verb?
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Translate: 'The window shattered into a thousand pieces.'
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Use 'zerspringen' in the past tense (Präteritum).
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Write a metaphorical sentence about a dream.
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Explain the difference between 'zerspringen' and 'platzen' in German.
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Write a sentence using 'vor Neid zerspringen'.
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Translate: 'I hope the glass doesn't shatter.'
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Use the dative 'mir' with 'zerspringen'.
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Write a sentence about frozen pipes.
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Describe the sound of glass shattering using 'zerspringen'.
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Write a short story (3 sentences) about a mirror.
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Use 'zerspringen' in a conditional (wenn) sentence.
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Translate: 'The silence shattered.'
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Write a sentence about a phone screen.
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Use 'zerspringen' with 'fast'.
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Write a sentence about an opera singer.
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Translate: 'The ice shattered under my feet.'
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Use the noun 'Zerspringen' in a sentence.
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Write a sentence about 'zersprungene Träume'.
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Say 'The glass shattered' in German.
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Pronounce 'zerspringen' correctly.
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Tell your friend you have a bad headache using the verb.
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Say 'The vase shattered into a thousand pieces'.
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Use 'zerspringen' in a question.
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Say 'Careful, the glass will shatter'.
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How do you say 'shattered dreams'?
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Pronounce the past tense 'zersprang'.
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Explain 'zerspringen' to a child in German.
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Say 'I am bursting with pride'.
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Use 'zerspringen' with 'haben' (trick question!).
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Say 'My heart is shattering'.
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Pronounce 'Scherben'.
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Say 'The ice is shattering'.
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How do you say 'It shattered on me'?
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Say 'shatterproof' in German.
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Use 'zerspringen' in the future tense.
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Say 'I am bursting with envy'.
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Say 'The mirror shattered'.
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Pronounce 'Zerspringen' with emphasis on the second syllable.
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Listen and write: 'Das Glas ist zersprungen.'
Listen and write: 'Mir zerspringt der Kopf.'
Identify the verb in the audio: 'Die Vase zersprang.'
Is the speaker happy or sad in 'Mein Herz zerspringt vor Kummer'?
Listen for the number: 'Das Glas zersprang in zwei Stücke.'
Listen and write: 'Vorsicht, Scherben!'
What shattered in the audio: 'Der Spiegel ist zersprungen.'?
Listen and identify the tense: 'Es ist zersprungen.'
Listen and write: 'Ich zerspringe vor Stolz.'
Listen for the material: 'Die Porzellanfigur ist zersprungen.'
Listen and write: 'In tausend Stücke.'
Listen and identify the prefix: 'Zerspringen'.
Listen and write: 'Die Stille zersprang.'
What is the emotion: 'Ich zerspringe vor Neid.'?
Listen and write: 'Das Eis zerspringt.'
/ 200 correct
Perfect score!
Summary
Zerspringen is your go-to verb for 'shattering' glass or porcelain. Remember: things 'zerspringen' on their own (it is intransitive), and it always takes 'sein'. Example: 'Das Glas ist zersprungen' (The glass shattered).
- Zerspringen describes brittle objects like glass breaking into many small pieces.
- It is an intransitive verb and always uses 'sein' as its auxiliary verb.
- Metaphorically, it describes intense headaches or hearts breaking from strong emotion.
- The prefix 'zer-' indicates destruction, while 'springen' suggests the pieces jumping apart.
Always use 'sein'
Remember: state change = 'sein'. 'Das Glas ist zersprungen' is correct. 'Hat zersprungen' is a common mistake.
Material Matters
Only use 'zerspringen' for brittle materials like glass, ceramic, or ice. Wood or metal don't usually 'zerspringen'.
Headaches
If your headache is really bad, say 'Mein Kopf zerspringt'. It's a very common native expression.
Dramatic Effect
Use 'zersprang in tausend Stücke' to add drama to your stories. It's a classic German literary phrase.
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