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B1 verb 8 मिनट पढ़ने का समय

breken

To separate into pieces.

At the A1 level, 'breken' is one of the first verbs you learn for describing physical damage. It is most commonly used in simple sentences about everyday objects. You will use it to talk about a glass (het glas), a plate (het bord), or a pencil (het potlood) that snaps in two. At this stage, you should focus on the present tense 'ik breek' and 'het breekt'. You might also learn it in the context of food, like 'brood breken' (breaking bread). It's important to know that 'breken' usually means something is now in two pieces. You don't need to worry about complex metaphors yet. Just remember that if you drop something made of glass, it will probably 'breken'. You should also know the basic past participle 'gebroken' to say 'Het is gebroken' (It is broken). This level is all about concrete, physical actions that you can see. For example, 'De jongen breekt de tak' (The boy breaks the branch). Keep it simple and focus on objects you can touch. Avoid using it for things like 'breaking a heart' or 'breaking the law' until you are more comfortable with the basic physical meaning. Practice saying 'Ik breek het ijs' in the literal sense of ice cubes before moving to the social meaning. By the end of A1, you should be able to identify that 'breken' is a verb of action and destruction.
पूरी व्याख्या पढ़ने के लिए मुफ़्त साइन अप करें
At the A2 level, you start to expand your use of 'breken' to include parts of the body and simple social promises. This is where you learn to say 'Ik heb mijn been gebroken' (I broke my leg). You will also begin to use the past tense 'brak'. It is important to notice that 'breken' is a 'strong verb', which means the vowel changes in the past tense. You might also encounter 'breken' in the context of weather, like 'het ijs breekt' when spring arrives. You can start using it for 'een belofte breken' (breaking a promise). You should also learn the difference between 'breken' and 'stuk gaan'. If your bike is broken but not in pieces, you say 'mijn fiets is stuk'. If the frame of the bike actually snaps, you can say 'het frame is gebroken'. At A2, you are also introduced to some common separable verbs like 'inbreken' (to break in/burgle). You might hear on the news: 'Er is ingebroken' (There was a burglary). Understanding these prefixes is a key part of moving from A1 to A2. You should also be able to use 'breken' in the perfect tense with 'hebben' or 'zijn' correctly. 'Ik heb het glas gebroken' (I did it) vs 'Het glas is gebroken' (The state of the glass). This distinction is vital for sounding more like a natural speaker at the A2 level.
पूरी व्याख्या पढ़ने के लिए मुफ़्त साइन अप करें
At the B1 level, you are expected to use 'breken' in a variety of metaphorical and abstract contexts. You should be comfortable using it for social situations, such as 'het ijs breken' (breaking the ice) to start a conversation. You will also use it in more complex sentence structures, including sub-clauses. For example: 'Ik hoop dat we de stilte kunnen breken' (I hope we can break the silence). At B1, you should also understand the use of 'breken' in sports and achievements, like 'een record breken' (breaking a record). You will encounter more separable verbs such as 'afbreken' (to demolish or to stop an activity) and 'uitbreken' (to break out). You should also be aware of the noun forms like 'een breuk' (a break/fracture) and how they are used in sentences. For instance, 'Er is een breuk in de relatie' (There is a rift/break in the relationship). Your grammar should be more precise, correctly choosing between 'brak' and 'braken' in the past tense. You will also start to see 'breken' in idioms. A very common one is 'de ban breken', which means to break a spell or a long-standing pattern of failure. You should be able to explain why something broke using words like 'druk' (pressure) or 'spanning' (tension). The B1 learner uses 'breken' not just to describe an accident, but to describe a change in state or a significant event in a narrative.
At the B2 level, 'breken' becomes a tool for more nuanced communication. You will use it to describe complex social and economic trends. For instance, you might talk about 'het breken van een trend' (breaking a trend) or 'de markt die breekt' (the market breaking). You should be familiar with more advanced separable and inseparable verbs like 'onderbreken' (to interrupt) and 'doorbreken' (to break through). At B2, you should understand the subtle difference in stress for 'doorbreken': when the stress is on 'door', it's separable and physical; when the stress is on 'breken', it's often inseparable and metaphorical (like a breakthrough in science). You will also use 'breken' in more formal writing, such as 'contractbreuk' (breach of contract). You should be able to use the verb in the passive voice effectively: 'De onderhandelingen werden gebroken' (The negotiations were broken off). You will also encounter 'breken' in literary contexts, where it might describe the 'breken van de dag' (the break of day/dawn). Your vocabulary will include related words like 'breekbaar' (fragile) and 'onverwoestbaar' (indestructible). You should be able to debate topics using 'breken' metaphorically, such as 'het breken van het taboe' (breaking the taboo). At this level, you are expected to understand the emotional weight of the word in different contexts, from the heartbreak of a poem to the clinical description of a 'gecompliceerde breuk' in a medical report.
पूरी व्याख्या पढ़ने के लिए मुफ़्त साइन अप करें
At the C1 level, your use of 'breken' should be sophisticated and contextually precise. You will understand the deep historical and cultural layers of the word. You can use idioms like 'een lans breken voor iemand' (to advocate for someone) with ease in professional or academic discussions. You will recognize 'breken' in legal jargon, such as 'het breken van de zegel' (breaking the seal) or 'breukvlakken' in geological or social contexts. You should be able to analyze literature where 'breken' is used to symbolize a loss of will or a structural change in a character's life. Your grammar will be flawless, even with the most complex separable and inseparable derivatives. You will also be aware of the rhythmic and phonetic qualities of the word in poetry or oratory. For example, using 'breken' to create a certain atmosphere in a speech. You will understand the nuance between 'breken' and its synonyms like 'vergruizen' (to crush to dust) or 'versplinteren' (to splinter) and choose the one that fits the exact physical or metaphorical scenario. In business, you might discuss 'het breken van een monopolie' (breaking a monopoly) or 'het breken van de weerstand' in a negotiation. A C1 speaker uses 'breken' to convey authority and precision, moving effortlessly between the literal and the highly abstract. You will also be familiar with the use of 'breken' in philosophical texts, perhaps discussing the 'gebrokenheid van het bestaan' (the brokenness of existence).
पूरी व्याख्या पढ़ने के लिए मुफ़्त साइन अप करें
At the C2 level, you have a masterly command of 'breken' and all its derivatives. You can use the word with absolute precision in any register, from the most informal street slang to the highest academic or legal discourse. You are familiar with archaic uses of 'breken' found in classical Dutch literature and can interpret them correctly. You can play with the word in creative writing, using its various meanings to create puns or double entendres. Your understanding of 'breken' includes its role in complex compound words and technical terminology in specialized fields like engineering, law, or psychology. You can discuss the etymological roots of 'breken' and how it relates to cognates in other Germanic languages. In a professional setting, you can lead a discussion on 'strategische doorbraken' (strategic breakthroughs) or 'het breken van politieke impasses'. You understand the subtle emotional connotations that 'breken' carries in different dialects of Dutch. You can write a critique of a film or book where 'breken' is a central theme, using the word to describe the structure of the narrative itself. At C2, 'breken' is no longer just a word you use; it's a versatile tool you manipulate to express the finest shades of meaning, whether you're describing the physics of a diamond's cleavage or the psychological collapse of a historical figure. Your command is such that you can even use 'breken' in ways that are technically unconventional but stylistically brilliant.
पूरी व्याख्या पढ़ने के लिए मुफ़्त साइन अप करें
उदाहरण

breken 30 सेकंड में

  • Breken means to physically break or snap something into pieces.
  • It is a strong verb with past forms 'brak' and 'gebroken'.
  • Metaphorically, it applies to promises, records, habits, and silence.
  • Common separable forms include inbreken (burgle) and afbreken (demolish).

The Dutch verb breken is a versatile and essential word that primarily translates to 'to break' in English. At its core, it describes the physical separation of a solid object into two or more pieces, often due to force, pressure, or an accident. However, its utility extends far beyond the physical realm, permeating Dutch metaphors, legal language, and social interactions. Understanding 'breken' requires a grasp of its strong conjugation (breek, brak, gebroken) and its ability to shift meaning based on context.

Physical Destruction
This is the most common usage. Whether it is a glass falling on the floor or a twig snapping in the woods, 'breken' is the go-to verb. Unlike 'stukmaken' (to make broken/to break something functional), 'breken' specifically implies a structural failure.

Pas op, dat glas kan gemakkelijk breken als je het laat vallen.

Breaking the Silence or Patterns
Metaphorically, 'breken' is used to describe the interruption of a continuous state. You can break the silence (de stilte breken), break a habit (een gewoonte breken), or break the ice (het ijs breken) in a social setting.

In a social and emotional context, 'breken' is powerful. To say 'mijn hart breekt' (my heart breaks) carries the same heavy emotional weight as in English. It is also used in sports and competitions to describe a moment when an opponent's resistance finally gives way. If a cyclist 'breekt' during a steep climb, they have lost their momentum and strength.

Na uren van verzet begon de verdediging van de tegenstander eindelijk te breken.

Legal and Formal Contexts
In more formal Dutch, 'breken' is used in terms like 'contractbreuk' (breach of contract) or 'het breken van de wet' (breaking the law), though 'overtreden' is more common for specific laws.

Culturally, the Dutch use 'breken' in idioms like 'een lans breken voor iemand' (to break a lance for someone), which means to speak up in support of someone or to advocate for a cause. This originates from medieval jousting, showing how deeply the word is rooted in history.

De politicus wilde een lans breken voor de rechten van minderheden.

Using 'breken' correctly involves more than just knowing its meaning; you must master its conjugation as a strong (irregular) verb and understand its placement in different sentence structures. In the present tense, it follows standard patterns: 'ik breek', 'jij breekt', 'wij breken'. However, the past tense shifts to 'brak', which can be a hurdle for learners used to weak verbs.

Present Tense Usage
Use the present tense for general truths, ongoing actions, or future intentions. Example: 'De golven breken op de kust' (The waves break on the coast).

Ik breek elke ochtend een eitje voor het ontbijt.

The Perfectum (Completed Action)
The perfect tense uses the auxiliary verb 'hebben' when someone breaks an object, but 'zijn' when an object breaks on its own or when describing a state. This is a crucial distinction in Dutch grammar.

When using 'breken' with separable prefixes (separable verbs), the meaning changes significantly. For instance, 'afbreken' means to demolish or cancel, 'inbreken' means to burgle, and 'uitbreken' means to break out (like a fire or a prisoner). These are conjugated similarly but require the prefix to move to the end of the clause in main sentences.

De dief brak gisteravond in bij de buren.

Infinitive Constructions
'Breken' is often found in the 'te + infinitive' construction. For example: 'Het is moeilijk om een oude gewoonte te breken' (It is difficult to break an old habit).

In passive sentences, 'breken' highlights the result rather than the actor. 'De wet werd gebroken' (The law was broken). In B1 level Dutch, you should also be comfortable using it in sub-clauses where the verb moves to the end: 'Ik vind het jammer dat hij zijn belofte altijd breekt' (I think it's a shame that he always breaks his promise).

Als je het touw te strak spant, zal het breken.

In daily life in the Netherlands or Flanders, you will encounter 'breken' in various settings, from the hospital to the evening news. It is a word that spans the spectrum from mundane physical accidents to complex social phenomena. Understanding where you'll hear it helps in recognizing the register and intent of the speaker.

Medical Settings
One of the most frequent places you'll hear 'breken' is at the doctor or hospital. If someone falls, the first question is often: 'Is het gebroken?' (Is it broken?). Doctors talk about 'botbreuken' (bone fractures).

De röntgenfoto laat zien dat je je pols hebt gebroken.

News and Media
News anchors use 'breken' for dramatic effect. 'Brekend nieuws' (Breaking news) is a common term. You might also hear about 'het breken van records' (breaking records) in sports or weather reports.

In a domestic setting, 'breken' is often used when handling food. 'Brood breken' (breaking bread) has a communal, almost biblical connotation, but it's also practical. You might 'een eitje breken' for a recipe or 'chocolade breken' to share. In these cases, the word feels warm and informal.

Laten we samen het brood breken en genieten van de maaltijd.

Weather and Nature
Meteorologists use the word to describe changes in the sky. 'De wolken breken' (the clouds are breaking) means the sun is about to come out. Similarly, 'het breken van de hitte' refers to a cool spell after a heatwave.

Finally, in the workplace, 'breken' appears in discussions about trends or rules. If a company is 'met de traditie aan het breken' (breaking with tradition), they are innovating. If a project 'de bank niet zal breken' (won't break the bank), it's affordable.

Eindelijk begint de zon door de wolken heen te breken.

Learning 'breken' presents several pitfalls for English speakers, primarily due to the differences in how Dutch handles auxiliary verbs and the existence of similar-sounding words. Avoiding these common errors will make your Dutch sound significantly more natural and precise.

Auxiliary Verb Confusion (Hebben vs. Zijn)
This is the most frequent error. In English, you 'have broken' something. In Dutch, if you are the agent of the action, you use 'hebben'. But if the object is simply in a broken state, or it broke on its own, you must use 'zijn'.

Fout: Het glas heeft gebroken.
Goed: Het glas is gebroken.

Breken vs. Stukmaken
English speakers often use 'breken' for everything. However, if your computer stops working, you don't say 'mijn computer is gebroken' (unless you smashed it with a hammer). You say 'mijn computer is stuk' or 'kapot'.

Another common mistake involves the conjugation in the past tense. Because 'breken' is a strong verb, many students try to say 'breekte' instead of 'brak'. This is a hallmark of a beginner's mistake. Always remember: breek - brak - gebroken.

Fout: Gisteren breekte hij het record.
Goed: Gisteren brak hij het record.

Misusing Separable Verbs
Verbs like 'onderbreken' (to interrupt) are actually inseparable, unlike 'inbreken'. Students often try to separate 'onderbreken' (Ik breek de les onder), which is incorrect. It should be: 'Ik onderbreek de les'.

Finally, be careful with the word 'doorbreken'. It has two versions: one separable (to break through something physical) and one inseparable (to break through metaphorically/achieve success). The stress on the syllable changes the grammar, which is a high-level concept but worth noting early on.

De zon brak eindelijk door (Separable: physical).

To truly enrich your Dutch vocabulary, you should know when to use 'breken' and when a more specific synonym might be more appropriate. Dutch has a rich array of verbs for destruction and separation, each with its own nuance.

Breken vs. Scheuren
'Breken' is for hard materials like glass, wood, or bone. 'Scheuren' is for flexible materials like paper, cloth, or skin. You break a stick, but you tear (scheuren) a piece of paper.

Ik scheur het papier in kleine stukjes, ik breek het niet.

Breken vs. Splijten
'Splijten' (to split) implies a clean separation along a grain or line. You 'breken' a branch randomly, but you 'splijten' a log of wood with an axe for the fireplace.

In technical contexts, you might use 'versnipperen' (to shred) or 'verpulveren' (to pulverize). If you are talking about breaking a large task into smaller ones, 'opdelen' (to divide up) or 'splitsen' (to split/divide) is often preferred over 'breken'.

We moeten dit grote project opdelen in kleinere taken.

Kapotmaken vs. Vernielen
'Kapotmaken' is the general term for breaking something. 'Vernielen' is more aggressive, meaning to vandalize or destroy with intent. 'Breken' is often accidental or a natural result of pressure.

Finally, consider 'beëindigen' (to end/terminate) as an alternative for 'breken' in professional contexts. Instead of 'het contract breken' (breaking the contract), which implies a violation, 'het contract beëindigen' is the neutral way to say the contract is being finished.

Zij besloten hun samenwerking na drie jaar te beëindigen.

उच्चारण मार्गदर्शिका

UK /ˈbreːkə(n)/
US /ˈbreɪkən/
The stress is on the first syllable: BREE-ken.
तुकबंदी
steken teken spreken weken reken gebleken ontsteken verstreken
आम गलतियाँ
  • Pronouncing the 'ee' like the English 'ee' in 'see'.
  • Making the 'r' too much like the English 'r'.
  • Over-emphasizing the final 'n'.
  • Confusing it with the English 'break' and using it for broken electronics.
  • Incorrectly conjugating it as a weak verb (breekte).
पूरी व्याख्या पढ़ने के लिए मुफ़्त साइन अप करें

स्तर के अनुसार उदाहरण

1

Ik breek het brood.

I break the bread.

Simple present tense, subject-verb-object.

2

Het glas breekt.

The glass breaks.

Intransitive use of the verb.

3

Breek jij de tak?

Do you break the branch?

Question form with inversion.

4

Zij breekt een ei.

She breaks an egg.

Third person singular ending in -t.

5

Het is gebroken.

It is broken.

Past participle used as an adjective with 'zijn'.

6

Wij breken de koekjes.

We break the cookies.

Plural present tense.

7

Breek het niet!

Don't break it!

Imperative mood.

8

Ik breek mijn potlood.

I break my pencil.

Possessive pronoun 'mijn' with the object.

1

Hij heeft zijn been gebroken.

He has broken his leg.

Perfect tense with 'hebben'.

2

Gisteren brak ik een kopje.

Yesterday I broke a cup.

Imperfect tense (strong verb).

3

De dief brak in het huis in.

The thief broke into the house.

Separable verb 'inbreken' in the past tense.

4

Kun je het ijs breken?

Can you break the ice?

Modal verb 'kunnen' with infinitive.

5

Zij braken de oude muur af.

They demolished the old wall.

Separable verb 'afbreken' in plural past tense.

6

Mijn hart breekt als ik dat zie.

My heart breaks when I see that.

Metaphorical usage in a complex sentence.

7

Het touw is door de spanning gebroken.

The rope broke due to the tension.

Perfect tense with 'zijn' indicating a state/event.

8

Hij beloofde zijn woord niet te breken.

He promised not to break his word.

Te + infinitive construction.

1

We moeten de stilte breken met muziek.

We must break the silence with music.

Using 'breken' for abstract concepts.

2

De atleet brak het wereldrecord.

The athlete broke the world record.

Usage in sports context.

3

Ik wil graag deze slechte gewoonte breken.

I would like to break this bad habit.

Usage with 'gewoonte' (habit).

4

De onderhandelingen zijn eindelijk doorgebroken.

The negotiations have finally broken through.

Separable verb 'doorbreken' in perfect tense.

5

Het licht breekt in de waterdruppels.

The light refracts in the water droplets.

Scientific/natural usage (refraction).

6

Hij brak volledig toen hij het nieuws hoorde.

He broke down completely when he heard the news.

Intransitive use for emotional collapse.

7

De zon breekt langzaam door de wolken.

The sun is slowly breaking through the clouds.

Separable verb 'doorbreken' for weather.

8

Je moet die regels niet zomaar breken.

You shouldn't just break those rules.

Modal verb 'moeten' with negative.

1

De staking brak de economie van het land.

The strike broke the country's economy.

Metaphorical use in economic context.

2

Hij onderbrak de spreker met een scherpe vraag.

He interrupted the speaker with a sharp question.

Inseparable verb 'onderbreken'.

3

Het nieuwe beleid breekt met de oude tradities.

The new policy breaks with old traditions.

Prepositional object 'met de tradities'.

4

Na jaren van stilte brak hij eindelijk het taboe.

After years of silence, he finally broke the taboo.

Use of 'taboe' as an object.

5

De dam dreigde te breken door de enorme waterdruk.

The dam threatened to break due to the enormous water pressure.

Infinitive with 'te' after 'dreigen'.

6

Zijn stem brak van emotie tijdens de toespraak.

His voice broke with emotion during the speech.

Physical description of a voice.

7

De markt brak na het slechte nieuws over de inflatie.

The market broke after the bad news about inflation.

Financial context.

8

We moeten de cirkel van geweld eindelijk breken.

We must finally break the cycle of violence.

Abstract usage with 'cirkel'.

1

De advocaat betoogde dat er sprake was van contractbreuk.

The lawyer argued that there was a breach of contract.

Noun form 'contractbreuk' in a formal sentence.

2

Zij wilde een lans breken voor de rechten van dieren.

She wanted to advocate for animal rights.

Idiomatic expression 'een lans breken'.

3

Het licht wordt gebroken door het prisma in verschillende kleuren.

The light is refracted by the prism into different colors.

Passive voice with 'worden'.

4

De hittegolf werd eindelijk gebroken door een zware onweersbui.

The heatwave was finally broken by a heavy thunderstorm.

Passive voice in weather reporting.

5

Zijn weerstand was eindelijk gebroken na urenlang verhoor.

His resistance was finally broken after hours of interrogation.

Metaphorical use of 'weerstand'.

6

De ontdekking betekende een definitieve breuk met het verleden.

The discovery meant a definitive break with the past.

Noun 'breuk' in a historical/scientific context.

7

Men probeert de macht van de grote techbedrijven te breken.

They are trying to break the power of the large tech companies.

Infinitive construction with 'te'.

8

De stilte in de zaal was bijna tastbaar, totdat hij die brak.

The silence in the hall was almost tangible, until he broke it.

Relative clause usage.

1

De auteur exploreert de gebrokenheid van de menselijke psyche.

The author explores the brokenness of the human psyche.

Abstract noun 'gebrokenheid'.

2

In zijn poëzie laat hij de taal zelf breken om nieuwe betekenis te vinden.

In his poetry, he lets language itself break to find new meaning.

Causative 'laten' with 'breken'.

3

De politieke impasse werd doorbroken door een onverwachte coalitie.

The political impasse was broken through by an unexpected coalition.

Inseparable verb 'doorbreken' in passive voice.

4

Het breken van de dag bracht een onbehaaglijk gevoel met zich mee.

The break of day brought an uneasy feeling with it.

Literary expression 'het breken van de dag'.

5

Zijn argumentatie vertoonde enkele cruciale breuklijnen.

His argumentation showed several crucial fault lines.

Metaphorical use of 'breuklijnen'.

6

De rechter oordeelde dat de verdachte de wet willens en wetens had gebroken.

The judge ruled that the suspect had knowingly and willfully broken the law.

Formal legal phrasing 'willens en wetens'.

7

De symfonie eindigt met een plotselinge breuk in het ritme.

The symphony ends with a sudden break in the rhythm.

Musical analysis context.

8

Zij slaagden erin het monopolie op informatievoorziening te breken.

They succeeded in breaking the monopoly on information provision.

Complex sentence with 'er' and 'te + infinitive'.

सामान्य शब्द संयोजन

een been breken
een belofte breken
het ijs breken
het record breken
de wet breken
het hart breken
de stilte breken
brood breken
een gewoonte breken
de ban breken

सामान्य वाक्यांश

Breek me de bek niet open

De dag breekt aan

Een lans breken voor

De pleuris breekt uit

Bakzeil halen

Inbreken op een gesprek

Door de knieën breken

Het ijs is gebroken

De ban is gebroken

Een lans breken

मुहावरे और अभिव्यक्तियाँ

"Breek me de bek niet open"

Used when you have a lot of negative things to say about a subject but are trying to hold back.

Over de politiek? Breek me de bek niet open!

Informal

"Een lans breken voor iemand"

To speak in support of someone who is being criticized or ignored.

Ik wil een lans breken voor mijn collega.

Neutral/Formal

"De ban breken"

To end a period of bad luck or a stalemate.

Met dat doelpunt brak hij eindelijk de ban.

Neutral

"Het ijs breken"

To relieve the tension or awkwardness in a social situation.

Hij vertelde een mop om het ijs te breken.

Neutral

"Zijn nek breken over iets"

To fail miserably at something or to find something very difficult.

Veel studenten breken hun nek over dit examen.

Informal

"De pleuris breekt uit"

A sudden chaotic or violent situation starts.

Toen de uitslag bekend werd, brak de pleuris uit.

Slang

"Een eitje met iemand te pellen hebben"

To have a bone to pick (related to breaking/opening an egg).

Ik heb nog een eitje met hem te pellen.

Informal

"Door de zure appel heen bijten"

To do something unpleasant but necessary (breaking through the resistance).

Je moet even door de zure appel heen bijten.

Neutral

"De wet van Meden en Perzen"

An unbreakable rule.

Dat is hier geen wet van Meden en Perzen.

Formal

"In de kiem smoren"

To nip in the bud (preventing something from breaking out).

We moeten dit probleem in de kiem smoren.

Neutral

शब्द परिवार

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