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B1 verb #3,000 가장 일반적인 7분 분량

trennen (sich)

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설명 trennen (sich) in your Level:
At the A1 level, you usually learn the verb 'trennen' in the context of 'Müll trennen' (separating trash). This is a very common topic in Germany. You might not use the reflexive 'sich trennen' for relationships yet, but you should know that 'trennen' means to put things in different groups. For example: 'Ich trenne das Papier vom Plastik.' (I separate the paper from the plastic). It is a simple action verb. You might also hear 'getrennt' when paying at a restaurant: 'Zahlen Sie zusammen oder getrennt?' (Are you paying together or separately?). This is the most practical A1 use of the word. The grammar is simple: Subject + Verb + Object. You don't need to worry about complex emotions or reflexive pronouns yet. Just focus on the idea of 'separating' physical things.
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At A2, you start to see 'sich trennen' as a way to talk about people. You might learn that 'Sie sind nicht mehr zusammen' (They are no longer together) can also be said as 'Sie haben sich getrennt.' You begin to understand the reflexive pronoun 'sich'. You learn that 'sich trennen' is the opposite of 'zusammen sein'. You might use it in simple sentences like 'Meine Eltern haben sich getrennt.' You also learn the preposition 'von' + Dativ. 'Er trennt sich von seiner Freundin.' At this level, you are building the foundation to describe life events and family status. You also continue to use 'getrennt' as an adjective for 'separate', like 'getrennte Zimmer' (separate rooms).
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B1 is the level where 'sich trennen' becomes a key vocabulary item for social interaction. You are expected to talk about relationships, problems, and life changes. You should know the difference between 'sich trennen' (to break up), 'schlussmachen' (informal break up), and 'sich scheiden lassen' (to divorce). You must master the grammar: 'sich trennen von + Dativ'. You can explain *why* people separate, using words like 'Streit' (argument) or 'keine Liebe mehr' (no more love). You also use it in professional contexts, like a coach leaving a team. You understand that 'sich trennen' is a neutral, respectful way to describe the end of a partnership. You can use it in the Perfekt, Präteritum, and with modal verbs: 'Sie wollten sich schon lange trennen.'
At B2, you use 'sich trennen' in more abstract and formal ways. You might discuss the 'Trennung von Kirche und Staat' (separation of church and state) or the 'Trennung von Berufs- und Privatleben' (separation of professional and private life). You use the noun 'die Trennung' frequently. You understand the nuances of 'sich im Guten trennen' (to part on good terms) versus a messy breakup. You can use the verb in more complex sentence structures, including passive-like constructions or as a participle: 'Die getrennt lebenden Eheleute'. You also learn more sophisticated synonyms like 'sich entzweien' or 'sich distanzieren'. Your vocabulary allows you to discuss the psychological impact of separation.
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At C1, 'sich trennen' is used with high precision in academic, legal, and literary contexts. You might analyze the 'Trennung' of a company into several subsidiaries or the 'Gewaltenteilung' (separation of powers) in a political system. You understand idiomatic and metaphorical uses, such as 'sich von einer Illusion trennen' (to let go of an illusion). You can discuss the sociological trends of 'Trennungen' in modern society. Your grammar is flawless, and you can use the verb in the Konjunktiv II for hypothetical scenarios: 'Hätte er sich früher von ihr getrennt, wäre er jetzt glücklicher.' You also recognize the verb in complex compounds and derived forms in technical literature.
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At the C2 level, you have a near-native grasp of 'sich trennen' and all its subtle connotations. You can appreciate its use in high literature to describe existential isolation or the 'Trennung' of the soul from the body. You can use the verb in highly formal diplomatic or legal contexts where every word carries weight. You understand the historical significance of 'Die Trennung' (The Partition) in various geopolitical contexts. You can play with the word in creative writing, using it to describe the splitting of light, the division of atoms, or the breaking of a spiritual bond. You are aware of archaic or rare meanings and can use the verb with absolute stylistic confidence in any register.
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trennen (sich) 30초 만에

  • Reflexive verb for breakups.
  • Uses 'von' + Dativ preposition.
  • Can also mean sorting/separating objects.
  • Standard B1 level relationship vocabulary.

The German verb sich trennen is a cornerstone of interpersonal vocabulary, primarily denoting the act of ending a romantic relationship or a formal partnership. At its core, it signifies a movement away from a state of unity toward a state of individuality. Unlike the simple transitive verb 'trennen' (to separate things, like trash or components), the reflexive form 'sich trennen' focuses on the mutual or singular decision of people to go their separate ways. In the context of CEFR B1, it is essential to understand that this verb carries a weight of finality and emotional transition. It is the standard, neutral way to describe a breakup, sitting comfortably between the informal 'schlussmachen' and the legalistic 'sich scheiden lassen'.

Reflexive Usage
The 'sich' indicates that the subjects are performing the action upon themselves or in relation to each other. 'Wir trennen uns' means 'We are breaking up.'
Prepositional Link
When specifying who one is separating from, the preposition von (+ Dativ) is mandatory. 'Er hat sich von seiner Freundin getrennt.'
Emotional Nuance
While 'trennen' can be clinical, in a reflexive social context, it implies a significant life event, often followed by a period of mourning or adjustment.

Nach zehn Jahren Ehe haben sie sich schließlich getrennt, da sie sich auseinandergelebt hatten.

— A classic example of long-term relationship dissolution.

Beyond relationships, 'sich trennen' can also apply to professional contexts, such as a company parting ways with an employee or a business partner. In these instances, it maintains a level of professional distance and politeness. It suggests a formal conclusion rather than a chaotic conflict. Understanding the breadth of this verb allows a B1 learner to navigate social news, office gossip, and serious life discussions with precision. It is also important to note the past participle getrennt, which often functions as an adjective meaning 'separated' or 'apart'.

Es ist schwer, sich von alten Gewohnheiten zu trennen.

Metaphorical Use
One can 'separate' from habits, objects, or ideas, not just people.
Legal Context
In Germany, 'getrennt lebend' is a specific legal status before a divorce can be finalized.

Sie wollen sich im Guten trennen.

— Parting on good terms.

Using sich trennen correctly requires attention to its reflexive nature and its specific prepositional requirements. In the present tense, it follows standard weak verb conjugation: ich trenne mich, du trennst dich, er/sie/es trennt sich.... The complexity arises when we add the object of the separation. If you are breaking up with someone, you must use von followed by the Dative case. For example: 'Ich trenne mich von meinem Partner.' (Dative masculine).

Warum hast du dich von ihm getrennt?

In the Perfekt tense, which is the most common way to talk about past breakups in spoken German, we use the auxiliary verb haben. The structure is: [Subject] + [haben] + [reflexive pronoun] + [von + Dativ] + [getrennt]. 'Wir haben uns getrennt.' This is the standard way to announce a breakup. It sounds definitive and factual. If you want to express that the separation was mutual, you often use the plural 'wir' without the 'von' construction.

Reflexive vs. Non-Reflexive
'Ich trenne den Müll' (I separate the trash) vs. 'Ich trenne mich von meinem Freund' (I break up with my boyfriend).
Word Order
In subordinate clauses, the reflexive pronoun usually follows the subject: '...weil er sich von ihr getrennt hat.'

The verb is also frequently used in the imperative for dramatic effect or advice, though less common in romantic contexts. 'Trenne dich von allem, was dich unglücklich macht!' (Separate yourself from everything that makes you unhappy!). In professional German, you might see 'Das Unternehmen trennt sich von 100 Mitarbeitern,' which is a euphemism for layoffs. Here, the reflexive form softens the blow of the action, making it sound like a mutual or necessary organizational shift.

Sie leben seit zwei Jahren getrennt.

— Using the participle as an adverbial state.

You will encounter sich trennen in a variety of social and media contexts. In daily life, it is the go-to verb for discussing the end of relationships among friends and family. It is polite enough for formal settings but clear enough for intimate conversations. If you are watching a German 'Telenovela' or soap opera, you will hear this verb in almost every episode, usually accompanied by dramatic music and tears.

„Hast du gehört? Julia und Mark haben sich getrennt!“

— Typical neighborhood gossip.

In the news and celebrity tabloids (like 'Gala' or 'Bunte'), 'sich trennen' is the standard headline verb for celebrity breakups. Headlines like 'Hollywood-Paar trennt sich nach 5 Jahren' are ubiquitous. It is also used in sports news when a club and a coach decide to end their contract. 'Der Verein hat sich von seinem Trainer getrennt' is the standard way to report a firing or a mutual departure.

Celebrity News
'Promi-Trennung' is a common compound noun used in media.
Business Reports
Used to describe divestment or layoffs: 'Die Firma trennt sich von ihrer Tochtergesellschaft.'

„Wir haben uns räumlich getrennt.“

— Meaning they still might be a couple but live in different apartments.

One of the most frequent errors for English speakers is forgetting the reflexive pronoun sich. In English, 'to separate' can be used without a reflexive pronoun to mean 'to break up'. In German, saying 'Wir haben getrennt' sounds incomplete or suggests you were separating objects (like sorting laundry) rather than ending a relationship. You must say 'Wir haben uns getrennt.'

Ich trenne von ihm.
→ Ich trenne mich von ihm.

Another common pitfall is using the wrong preposition. Learners often try to use 'mit' (with) because of the English 'to break up with'. However, German uses von. Using 'mit' is a tell-tale sign of a non-native speaker and can lead to confusion. 'Ich trenne mich mit ihm' would imply you are both separating from something else together, rather than from each other.

Preposition Error
Incorrect: 'Trennen mit'. Correct: 'Trennen von'.
Case Error
'Von' always takes the Dative. 'Von meinen Freund' (Incorrect) vs. 'Von meinem Freund' (Correct).

Falsch: Sie haben sich geschieden.
Richtig: Sie haben sich getrennt oder sie haben sich scheiden lassen.

To truly master sich trennen, you should understand how it relates to its synonyms and near-synonyms. The most informal alternative is schlussmachen. This is what teenagers and young adults typically use. It is direct and somewhat blunt. 'Ich habe mit ihm schlussgemacht' (Note: 'schlussmachen' uses 'mit', unlike 'sich trennen').

Schlussmachen
Informal, direct. 'To end it'.
Sich scheiden lassen
Specifically for legal marriage: 'To get divorced'.
Verlassen
'To leave someone'. Focuses on the person who initiates the split.

Wir haben Schluss gemacht, aber wir sind noch Freunde.

On the more formal or literary side, you might find auseinandergehen. This literally means 'to go apart' and is often used to describe a mutual, peaceful end to a relationship or partnership. 'Unsere Wege sind auseinandergegangen.' This is very poetic and avoids the harshness of 'trennen'. Conversely, sich entfremden describes the process of growing apart over time before the actual separation happens.

Sie haben sich auseinandergelebt.

— They grew apart (common reason for 'sich trennen').

How Formal Is It?

발음 가이드

라임이 맞는 단어
brennen kennen nennen

난이도

알아야 할 문법

Reflexive Verbs

Dative Prepositions (von)

Separable vs. Inseparable Verbs

Participial Adjectives

Passive Voice

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수준별 예문

1

Wir trennen den Müll.

We separate the trash.

Simple transitive verb 'trennen'.

2

Zahlen Sie getrennt?

Are you paying separately?

Adverbial use of 'getrennt'.

3

Bitte trennen Sie die Blätter.

Please separate the sheets of paper.

Imperative form.

4

Ich trenne das Eigelb vom Eiweiß.

I separate the yolk from the egg white.

Using 'von' for physical separation.

5

Die Kinder schlafen in getrennten Betten.

The children sleep in separate beds.

Adjective 'getrennt'.

6

Kannst du das Kabel trennen?

Can you disconnect the cable?

Infinitive with modal verb.

7

Sie trennen die Farben beim Waschen.

They separate the colors when washing.

Present tense.

8

Trennen Sie die Wörter mit einem Komma.

Separate the words with a comma.

Instructional use.

1

Meine Eltern haben sich getrennt.

My parents have separated.

Reflexive 'sich' in Perfekt.

2

Er will sich von seiner Freundin trennen.

He wants to break up with his girlfriend.

Reflexive + von + Dativ.

3

Warum habt ihr euch getrennt?

Why did you (plural) break up?

Question with reflexive pronoun 'euch'.

4

Ich trenne mich von meinem alten Auto.

I am getting rid of my old car.

Reflexive use for objects.

5

Sie leben jetzt getrennt.

They live separately now.

Adverb describing a state.

6

Wir müssen uns leider trennen.

Unfortunately, we have to part ways.

Modal verb + reflexive.

7

Er hat sich gestern von ihr getrennt.

He broke up with her yesterday.

Perfekt tense.

8

Trennt euch nicht wegen einer Kleinigkeit!

Don't break up over a small thing!

Imperative reflexive.

1

Nach dem Streit haben sie sich endgültig getrennt.

After the argument, they separated for good.

Use of 'endgültig' (finally/for good).

2

Es ist oft schwer, sich von der Vergangenheit zu trennen.

It is often hard to separate oneself from the past.

Infinitivsatz with 'zu'.

3

Der Verein hat sich von dem Trainer getrennt.

The club has parted ways with the coach.

Professional context.

4

Sie haben sich im Guten getrennt.

They separated on good terms.

Idiomatic expression 'im Guten'.

5

Ich kann mich nicht von diesem alten Pulli trennen.

I can't bring myself to throw away this old sweater.

Reflexive use for sentimental objects.

6

Die Wege der beiden Firmen trennten sich nach zwei Jahren.

The paths of the two companies parted after two years.

Präteritum.

7

Wann haben sie sich offiziell getrennt?

When did they officially separate?

Focus on 'offiziell'.

8

Sie sind seit einem Monat getrennt.

They have been separated for a month.

State of being 'getrennt'.

1

Die Trennung von Berufs- und Privatleben ist wichtig.

The separation of professional and private life is important.

Noun 'Trennung'.

2

Er musste sich von seinen Illusionen trennen.

He had to let go of his illusions.

Abstract metaphorical use.

3

Das Unternehmen trennt sich von seiner unprofitablen Sparte.

The company is divesting its unprofitable division.

Business terminology.

4

Sie haben sich räumlich getrennt, sind aber noch verheiratet.

They have separated physically but are still married.

Compound adverb 'räumlich getrennt'.

5

Die Kirche und der Staat sollten strikt getrennt sein.

Church and state should be strictly separated.

Political/Social context.

6

Es fällt mir schwer, Berufliches von Privatem zu trennen.

I find it hard to separate work from private matters.

Substantivized adjectives.

7

Die Nachricht von ihrer Trennung kam überraschend.

The news of their separation came as a surprise.

Genitive construction.

8

Trennen Sie bitte die Fakten von Ihren persönlichen Meinungen.

Please separate the facts from your personal opinions.

Intellectual separation.

1

Die strikte Trennung der Gewalten ist ein Grundpfeiler der Demokratie.

The strict separation of powers is a cornerstone of democracy.

Legal/Political terminology.

2

Er vermochte es nicht, sich von seinen Vorurteilen zu trennen.

He was unable to rid himself of his prejudices.

Elevated style 'vermochte es nicht'.

3

Die Trennungslinie zwischen Genie und Wahnsinn ist oft schmal.

The line between genius and madness is often thin.

Compound noun 'Trennungslinie'.

4

In seiner Lyrik thematisiert er die schmerzhafte Trennung von der Heimat.

In his poetry, he addresses the painful separation from his homeland.

Literary context.

5

Das Gericht ordnete die Trennung der beiden Verfahren an.

The court ordered the separation of the two proceedings.

Legal context.

6

Sich von liebgewonnenen Gewohnheiten zu trennen, erfordert Disziplin.

Parting with long-held habits requires discipline.

Gerund-like infinitive construction.

7

Die biologische Trennung der Arten erfolgte über Jahrtausende.

The biological separation of species occurred over millennia.

Scientific context.

8

Nach der Fusion mussten viele Abteilungen getrennt werden.

After the merger, many departments had to be separated.

Passive voice.

1

Die ontologische Trennung von Geist und Materie bleibt umstritten.

The ontological separation of mind and matter remains controversial.

Philosophical register.

2

Er vollzog die Trennung von seiner bisherigen Lebensphilosophie.

He carried out the break from his previous philosophy of life.

Formal verb 'vollziehen'.

3

Die schmerzliche Trennung der Seele vom Leibe ist ein Topos der Weltliteratur.

The painful separation of the soul from the body is a trope of world literature.

Archaic/Literary register.

4

Unüberbrückbare Differenzen führten zur Trennung der Koalition.

Irreconcilable differences led to the breakup of the coalition.

Political jargon.

5

Die Trennungsschärfe dieses Mikroskops ist beeindruckend.

The resolution (separation sharpness) of this microscope is impressive.

Technical/Scientific term.

6

In der Retorte erfolgte die Trennung der Isotope.

The separation of isotopes took place in the retort.

Scientific register.

7

Sie suchte die Trennung von allem Weltlichen.

She sought separation from all things worldly.

Spiritual context.

8

Die Trennung der Spreu vom Weizen ist hier unumgänglich.

Separating the wheat from the chaff is unavoidable here.

Idiomatic/Biblical metaphor.

자주 쓰는 조합

sich endgültig trennen
sich im Guten trennen
sich räumlich trennen
Müll trennen
sich von seinem Partner trennen
sich wegen Kleinigkeiten trennen
schwerfallen sich zu trennen
getrennt leben
die Wege trennen sich
Kirche und Staat trennen

자주 쓰는 구문

Wir haben uns getrennt.
Zahlen Sie getrennt?
Sich von Tisch und Bett trennen.
Die Spreu vom Weizen trennen.
Sich von alten Lasten trennen.
Getrennte Wege gehen.
Es ist aus, wir trennen uns.
Sie leben getrennt von Tisch und Bett.
Sich von seinen Sorgen trennen.
Beruf und Privatleben trennen.

자주 혼동되는 단어

trennen (sich) vs verlassen (no reflexive, no 'von')

trennen (sich) vs scheiden (legal context only)

trennen (sich) vs teilen (to share/divide, not separate)

관용어 및 표현

"Die Spreu vom Weizen trennen"
"Sich von Tisch und Bett trennen"
"Getrennte Wege gehen"
"Etwas sauber trennen"
"Welten trennen uns"
"Sich von etwas schweren Herzens trennen"
"Die Wege trennen sich hier"
"Sich von seinen Wurzeln trennen"
"Getrennt marschieren, vereint schlagen"
"Sich von Gott und der Welt trennen"

혼동하기 쉬운

trennen (sich) vs teilen

trennen (sich) vs verlassen

trennen (sich) vs unterscheiden

trennen (sich) vs abbrechen

trennen (sich) vs lösen

문장 패턴

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사용법

Trash

Everyday necessity in Germany.

Business

Euphemism for firing.

Relationship

Neutral and standard.

자주 하는 실수
  • Forgetting the reflexive pronoun 'sich'.
  • Using 'mit' instead of 'von'.
  • Using 'trennen' when 'teilen' (share) is meant.
  • Wrong case after 'von' (should be Dative).
  • Confusing 'getrennt' with 'geschieden'.

팁

Reflexive Pronoun

Always check your reflexive pronoun. It must match the subject: Ich mich, du dich, etc.

Preposition

Memorize 'trennen von' as a single unit. Never use 'mit' for this verb.

Mülltrennung

In Germany, separating trash is not optional. Use 'trennen' to talk about your recycling habits.

Restaurant

When the waiter asks 'Zusammen oder getrennt?', they want to know if you want one bill or many.

Formal Letters

Use 'sich trennen' in formal contexts instead of 'schlussmachen'.

Context

If you hear 'getrennt' at the end of a sentence, it's likely the Perfekt tense or an adjective.

Opposites

The opposite of 'sich trennen' is 'sich verbinden' or 'zusammenkommen'.

Softening

Use 'sich im Guten trennen' to describe a peaceful end to a relationship.

Divorce

Remember the 'Trennungsjahr' rule in Germany for legal context.

Wheat and Chaff

Use 'die Spreu vom Weizen trennen' to describe picking the good from the bad.

암기하기

어원

Old High German 'trennen'

문화적 맥락

Germans are world champions at 'Mülltrennung'.

A 'Trennungsjahr' is legally required in Germany.

Paying 'getrennt' (separately) is very common in German restaurants.

실생활에서 연습하기

실제 사용 상황

대화 시작하기

"Hast du dich schon mal von etwas Wichtigem getrennt?"

"Warum trennen viele Menschen ihren Müll nicht?"

"Ist es besser, sich im Guten zu trennen?"

"Wann haben sich deine Lieblingsband getrennt?"

"Wie trennst du Arbeit und Freizeit?"

일기 주제

Schreibe über eine Zeit, in der du dich von einem Freund trennen musstest.

Warum ist Mülltrennung wichtig für die Umwelt?

Wie fühlst du dich, wenn du dich von alten Sachen trennst?

Beschreibe die Trennung von Kirche und Staat in deinem Land.

Was sind die häufigsten Gründe, warum Paare sich trennen?

자주 묻는 질문

10 질문

Mostly in social contexts, yes. However, it can also mean getting rid of objects or separating from ideas. Without 'sich', it just means to separate things like trash.

'Schlussmachen' is informal and often implies one person ended it. 'Sich trennen' is more neutral and formal.

It is the state before divorce. You 'separate' first, then you 'get divorced' (sich scheiden lassen).

No, that is incorrect. You must say 'Ich trenne mich von ihm'.

You say 'Müll trennen'. No reflexive pronoun is needed here.

The Dative case always follows 'von'.

Yes, it can describe a state, like 'getrennte Konten' (separate accounts).

Yes, 'Die Firma hat sich von ihm getrennt' means the company fired him or they parted ways.

The noun is 'die Trennung' (feminine).

It is a weak (regular) verb: trennen, trennte, getrennt.

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/ 180 correct

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