unterbrechen 30초 만에
- Unterbrechen means to interrupt or break a flow, whether it's a conversation, a technical connection, or a planned activity like work or study.
- It is an inseparable verb (unter- stays attached) and a strong verb (vowel changes: unterbrechen, unterbrach, unterbrochen).
- Commonly used in social situations to apologize for interjecting or in technical contexts for lost connections (e.g., Internetunterbrechung).
- Key grammatical structure: 'jemanden (Acc.) bei etwas (Dat.) unterbrechen' – to interrupt someone during something.
The German verb unterbrechen is a versatile and essential term that primarily translates to 'to interrupt' or 'to break.' At its core, it describes the act of stopping a continuous action, process, or flow—whether that flow is a conversation, a power supply, a journey, or a period of work. Unlike some other German verbs that imply a permanent cessation, unterbrechen often suggests a temporary pause, though the context determines if the action will resume. In the social sphere, it is most commonly used when one person speaks while another is already talking, a concept deeply rooted in German etiquette and communication norms.
- Physical Interruption
- Stopping a physical flow, like electricity or water (e.g., die Stromzufuhr unterbrechen).
- Verbal Interruption
- Cutting into someone's speech (e.g., jemanden beim Reden unterbrechen).
- Temporal Interruption
- Taking a break from a long-term activity (e.g., das Studium unterbrechen).
"Entschuldigung, dass ich Sie unterbreche, aber es gibt einen dringenden Anruf für Sie."
Understanding the nuances of unterbrechen requires looking at its prefix. While 'unter-' can sometimes be separable, in the case of unterbrechen (to interrupt), it is inseparable. This means the stress is on the root 'brech', and the 'ge-' prefix is omitted in the past participle. This grammatical detail is crucial for learners to sound natural. For example, you say 'Ich habe unterbrochen' and never 'Ich habe untergebrochen'.
Die Bauarbeiten wurden wegen des Regens unterbrochen.
- Context: Technology
- When your Wi-Fi drops, the connection is 'unterbrochen'.
Die Internetverbindung wurde plötzlich unterbrochen.
Using unterbrechen correctly involves mastering its conjugation as a strong, inseparable verb. Because it is inseparable, the prefix unter- stays attached to the verb in all forms. The conjugation follows the pattern of brechen (to break), changing the stem vowel from 'e' to 'i' in the second and third person singular present tense.
- Präsens: Ich unterbreche, du unterbrichst, er/sie/es unterbricht.
- Präteritum: Ich unterbrach, du unterbrachst.
- Perfekt: Ich habe unterbrochen.
The verb takes a direct object in the accusative case. You interrupt someone (jemanden) or something (etwas). If you want to specify the activity being interrupted, you use the preposition bei followed by the dative case.
Er unterbrach sie bei ihrer Arbeit.
In professional settings, unterbrechen is often used in the passive voice to describe processes that have been halted. 'Die Sitzung wurde unterbrochen' (The meeting was interrupted/adjourned). This shifts the focus from who did the interrupting to the state of the meeting itself.
You will encounter unterbrechen in a variety of daily and formal situations. In the workplace, it is the standard term for stopping a meeting for a break or when a colleague needs to interject. In the news, you might hear about 'unterbrochene Lieferketten' (interrupted supply chains) or 'unterbrochene Stromleitungen' (downed power lines) after a storm.
- Public Transport
- Announcements about 'Betriebsunterbrechungen' (service interruptions) on the U-Bahn or S-Bahn.
- Media
- TV shows being 'unterbrochen' by commercial breaks (Werbeunterbrechung).
Wir unterbrechen dieses Programm für eine wichtige Eilmeldung.
In social settings, the word is used to apologize for barging into a conversation. It is a key part of 'Hefliche Ablehnung' (polite refusal) or 'Zwischenfragen' (interjected questions). If you are watching a movie and someone keeps talking, you might say, 'Hör auf, mich ständig zu unterbrechen!' (Stop constantly interrupting me!).
The most frequent mistake for English speakers is treating unterbrechen as a separable verb. Because 'unter' is often separable (like in untergehen), learners often say 'Ich breche die Arbeit unter,' which is incorrect. It must be 'Ich unterbreche die Arbeit.'
Another common error is confusing unterbrechen with stören (to disturb). While they overlap, stören is about causing annoyance or a nuisance, whereas unterbrechen is specifically about stopping the flow of something. If you are loud while someone is studying, you are stören-ing them. If you stop them to ask a question, you are unterbrechen-ing them.
- Wrong Case
- Using the dative for the person being interrupted. It's 'Ich unterbreche DICH' (Accusative), not 'DIR'.
To expand your vocabulary, it's helpful to look at synonyms and related terms that carry slightly different connotations. Abbrechen is a close relative but usually implies a complete stop or a cancellation (e.g., breaking off an engagement or a mission). Pausieren is more neutral and implies a planned break.
- Einhaken
- Literally 'to hook in', used figuratively to join a conversation politely.
- Stoppen
- A general term for stopping something, often used in sports or technical contexts.
- Dazwischenreden
- A more informal and often negative term for talking over someone.
Darf ich hier kurz einhaken? (May I jump in here for a second?)
In technical contexts, you might hear trennen (to disconnect), especially regarding phone calls or internet connections. While unterbrechen means the flow is broken, trennen implies the physical or logical link is severed.
How Formal Is It?
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난이도
알아야 할 문법
수준별 예문
Darf ich Sie kurz unterbrechen?
May I interrupt you briefly?
Modal verb 'darf' + infinitive at the end.
Bitte unterbrechen Sie mich nicht.
Please do not interrupt me.
Imperative form.
Ich unterbreche meine Arbeit für eine Pause.
I interrupt my work for a break.
Present tense.
Warum unterbrichst du mich?
Why are you interrupting me?
Vowel change e -> i in 2nd person.
Er unterbricht den Film.
He interrupts the movie.
Direct object in accusative.
Wir unterbrechen das Spiel.
We interrupt the game.
Simple present.
Sie unterbricht die Musik.
She interrupts the music.
3rd person singular.
Entschuldigung für die Unterbrechung.
Sorry for the interruption.
Noun form 'Unterbrechung'.
Die Internetverbindung ist unterbrochen.
The internet connection is interrupted.
Zustandspassiv (state passive).
Er hat mich beim Telefonieren unterbrochen.
He interrupted me while I was on the phone.
Perfekt tense with 'beim' + nominalized verb.
Wir mussten die Reise unterbrechen.
We had to interrupt the journey.
Modal verb in Präteritum.
Können Sie das Video kurz unterbrechen?
Can you interrupt the video for a moment?
Polite request with 'können'.
Das Telefonat wurde unterbrochen.
The phone call was interrupted.
Vorgangspassiv (process passive).
Ich möchte dich nicht unterbrechen, aber...
I don't want to interrupt you, but...
Infinitive with 'zu' is not needed here after 'möchte'.
Die Stromversorgung war für zwei Stunden unterbrochen.
The power supply was interrupted for two hours.
Time duration with 'für'.
Unterbrich mich bitte nicht immer!
Please don't always interrupt me!
Imperative singular with 'du'.
Es ist unhöflich, andere beim Sprechen zu unterbrechen.
It is impolite to interrupt others while they are speaking.
Infinitiv mit 'zu'.
Wegen des Gewitters wurde das Fußballspiel unterbrochen.
The football match was interrupted because of the thunderstorm.
Genitive after 'wegen'.
Sie unterbrach ihr Studium für ein Praktikum.
She interrupted her studies for an internship.
Präteritum (simple past).
Der Redner wurde durch Zwischenrufe unterbrochen.
The speaker was interrupted by heckling.
Passive with 'durch' (means/cause).
Wir unterbrechen die Sendung für eine wichtige Nachricht.
We interrupt the broadcast for an important message.
Standard media phrase.
Ich habe meine Arbeit unterbrochen, um Kaffee zu trinken.
I interrupted my work to drink coffee.
Um...zu clause (purpose).
Die Stille wurde durch einen Schrei unterbrochen.
The silence was interrupted by a scream.
Literary use of Präteritum passive.
Darf ich Sie an dieser Stelle kurz unterbrechen?
May I interrupt you briefly at this point?
Formal 'Sie' form.
Die Verhandlungen wurden ergebnislos unterbrochen.
The negotiations were interrupted without result.
Adverbial use of 'ergebnislos'.
Man sollte den Teufelskreis der Gewalt unterbrechen.
One should break the vicious cycle of violence.
Metaphorical usage.
Die Verbindung wurde aufgrund technischer Probleme unterbrochen.
The connection was interrupted due to technical problems.
Formal 'aufgrund' + genitive.
Er unterbrach seinen Urlaub, um ins Büro zurückzukehren.
He interrupted his vacation to return to the office.
Separable verb 'zurückkehren' in 'um...zu' clause.
Die Lieferkette wurde durch die Pandemie weltweit unterbrochen.
The supply chain was interrupted worldwide by the pandemic.
Global context.
Ich möchte ungern unterbrechen, aber wir haben nur noch fünf Minuten.
I'd hate to interrupt, but we only have five minutes left.
Adverb 'ungern' (reluctantly).
Die kontinuierliche Überwachung wurde kurzzeitig unterbrochen.
The continuous monitoring was briefly interrupted.
Technical/Medical context.
Sie unterbrach ihn mit einer scharfen Bemerkung.
She interrupted him with a sharp remark.
Preposition 'mit' + dative.
Die Beweisaufnahme wurde für weitere Ermittlungen unterbrochen.
The taking of evidence was interrupted for further investigations.
Legal terminology.
Es ist eine Kunst, jemanden höflich zu unterbrechen.
It is an art to interrupt someone politely.
Abstract noun 'Kunst'.
Die Erzählung wird immer wieder durch Rückblenden unterbrochen.
The narrative is repeatedly interrupted by flashbacks.
Literary/Film analysis.
Wir müssen die Abfolge der Ereignisse unterbrechen.
We must interrupt the sequence of events.
Formal 'Abfolge'.
Die Verjährungsfrist kann durch eine Klage unterbrochen werden.
The limitation period can be interrupted by a lawsuit.
Passive with modal verb.
Ohne Sie unterbrechen zu wollen, möchte ich auf einen Punkt hinweisen.
Without wishing to interrupt you, I would like to point out one thing.
Conjunctional phrase 'ohne...zu'.
Die Monotonie des Alltags wurde durch die Reise unterbrochen.
The monotony of everyday life was interrupted by the trip.
Poetic/Reflective tone.
Das Schweigen wurde nur durch das Ticken der Uhr unterbrochen.
The silence was only interrupted by the ticking of the clock.
Descriptive Präteritum.
Die ontologische Kontinuität wird durch das Ereignis unterbrochen.
The ontological continuity is interrupted by the event.
Academic/Philosophical register.
In seiner Rede unterbrach er sich mehrmals selbst.
In his speech, he interrupted himself several times.
Reflexive use.
Die diplomatischen Beziehungen wurden jäh unterbrochen.
Diplomatic relations were abruptly interrupted.
Adverb 'jäh' (abrupt/sudden).
Es gilt, die Kausalkette an dieser Stelle zu unterbrechen.
It is necessary to interrupt the causal chain at this point.
Fixed expression 'Es gilt... zu'.
Das Parlament wurde durch den Staatsstreich in seiner Arbeit unterbrochen.
The parliament was interrupted in its work by the coup.
Political context.
Die rhythmische Struktur des Gedichts wird durch Enjambements unterbrochen.
The rhythmic structure of the poem is interrupted by enjambments.
Literary criticism.
Unterbrechen wir die theoretischen Erörterungen für ein praktisches Beispiel.
Let us interrupt the theoretical discussions for a practical example.
Adhortative (let us).
Die Funkstille wurde erst nach Tagen unterbrochen.
The radio silence was only interrupted after days.
Compound 'Funkstille'.
자주 쓰는 조합
자주 쓰는 구문
Darf ich Sie kurz unterbrechen?
Entschuldigung für die Unterbrechung.
Nicht unterbrechen!
Die Leitung wurde unterbrochen.
Lass mich bitte ausreden und unterbrich mich nicht.
Wir unterbrechen für eine Eilmeldung.
Die Bauarbeiten wurden unterbrochen.
Er unterbrach sie mitten im Satz.
Das Spiel wurde wegen Regens unterbrochen.
Ich muss meine Reise leider unterbrechen.
자주 혼동되는 단어
관용어 및 표현
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혼동하기 쉬운
문장 패턴
사용법
Unterbrechen is usually temporary; abbrechen is usually final.
Interrupting is more acceptable in 'high-involvement' conversational styles.
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Inseparable verbs do not use 'ge-' in the past participle.
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The verb is not separable; 'unter' never moves to the end.
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Strong verbs with 'e' change to 'i' in the 3rd person singular.
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'Unterbrechen' requires the accusative case, not the dative.
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'Abgebrochen' means terminated/cancelled; 'unterbrochen' is for a break in flow.
팁
No 'ge-' in Perfekt
Because 'unterbrechen' is inseparable, the past participle is 'unterbrochen', not 'untergebrochen'. This is a common mistake for beginners. Always remember that inseparable verbs skip the 'ge-'.
Polite Interjections
In a professional meeting, use 'Darf ich kurz unterbrechen?' followed by your point. This shows you respect the speaker's time. It is much better than just starting to talk.
Noun Form
The noun 'die Unterbrechung' is very common. You will see it on signs or hear it in announcements. 'Technische Unterbrechung' means technical difficulties.
Wait for the Pause
In German culture, it is polite to wait for a small pause before interrupting. If you must interrupt, keep it brief and relevant. Overlapping speech is often considered chaotic.
Präteritum Usage
In formal writing or literature, use 'unterbrach'. 'Die Nachricht unterbrach die feierliche Stimmung.' It sounds more sophisticated than using the Perfekt.
Identify the Vowel Change
When listening, listen for 'unterbrichst' or 'unterbricht'. The 'i' sound tells you it's the 2nd or 3rd person singular present tense. This is a key feature of strong verbs.
IT Context
If your internet is 'unterbrochen', it means the signal is gone. This is a very useful word for troubleshooting. 'Meine Verbindung wurde unterbrochen' is a standard phrase.
Link with 'Break'
The root 'brechen' is identical to the English 'break'. If you know 'brechen', you already know half of 'unterbrechen'. Just add the 'inter-' meaning of 'unter-'.
The 'Einhaken' Alternative
If 'unterbrechen' feels too harsh, use 'einhaken' (to hook in). 'Darf ich hier kurz einhaken?' sounds like you are adding to the conversation rather than stopping it.
Check the Object
Always make sure your object is in the accusative. 'Ich unterbreche den (not dem) Film.' This is a fundamental rule for transitive verbs.
암기하기
어원
From Middle High German 'unterbrechen', combining 'unter' (between/among) and 'brechen' (to break).
문화적 맥락
German TV news rarely interrupts for 'breaking news' unless it is truly significant, unlike the constant 'Breaking News' banners in some other countries.
Always apologize before interrupting a superior.
실생활에서 연습하기
실제 사용 상황
대화 시작하기
"Darf ich Sie kurz unterbrechen, um etwas zu klären?"
"Wurden Sie schon einmal bei einer wichtigen Rede unterbrochen?"
"Wie reagieren Sie, wenn man Sie ständig unterbricht?"
"Sollten wir die Sitzung für ein Mittagessen unterbrechen?"
"Ist Ihre Internetverbindung heute auch ständig unterbrochen?"
일기 주제
Schreibe über eine Situation, in der du dein Studium oder deine Arbeit unterbrechen musstest.
Wie fühlt es sich an, wenn jemand dich beim Sprechen unterbricht?
Warum ist es wichtig, den Teufelskreis von schlechten Gewohnheiten zu unterbrechen?
Beschreibe einen Tag, der ständig durch Anrufe unterbrochen wurde.
Was machst du, wenn die Stromversorgung unterbrochen ist?
자주 묻는 질문
10 질문No, it is inseparable. You never say 'ich breche unter'. The prefix 'unter-' stays with the verb in all positions, including the infinitive and past participle.
The past participle is 'unterbrochen'. Note that there is no '-ge-' prefix because the verb is inseparable. It follows the strong verb pattern of 'brechen'.
You can say 'Unterbrich mich nicht!' (informal) or 'Unterbrechen Sie mich bitte nicht!' (formal). Adding 'bitte' makes it slightly less aggressive.
Yes, you can say 'Ich unterbreche meine Arbeit für eine Pause'. However, 'eine Pause machen' is more common for the break itself.
It takes the accusative case. You interrupt 'jemanden' (someone) or 'etwas' (something). For example: 'Ich unterbreche den Prozess'.
'Unterbrechen' specifically means to stop the flow of an action. 'Stören' means to disturb or annoy. You can 'stören' someone without 'unterbrechen'-ing their work.
Yes, it is a strong verb. It changes its stem vowel in the past tense (unterbrach) and past participle (unterbrochen), and in the 2nd/3rd person singular (unterbrichst/unterbricht).
You use 'werden' + 'unterbrochen'. For example: 'Die Sitzung wird unterbrochen'. This is very common in formal German.
The preposition 'bei' is used to describe the activity being interrupted. 'Er unterbrach mich bei meiner Hausarbeit'.
No, for breaking a law, you use 'brechen' or 'verletzen'. 'Unterbrechen' is only for the flow or continuity of something.
셀프 테스트 180 질문
/ 180 correct
Perfect score!
Summary
Unterbrechen is the go-to German verb for 'to interrupt'. Remember it is inseparable and strong. It is used for both people and things (like power or internet). Use it with 'bei' to specify what activity is being stopped.
- Unterbrechen means to interrupt or break a flow, whether it's a conversation, a technical connection, or a planned activity like work or study.
- It is an inseparable verb (unter- stays attached) and a strong verb (vowel changes: unterbrechen, unterbrach, unterbrochen).
- Commonly used in social situations to apologize for interjecting or in technical contexts for lost connections (e.g., Internetunterbrechung).
- Key grammatical structure: 'jemanden (Acc.) bei etwas (Dat.) unterbrechen' – to interrupt someone during something.
No 'ge-' in Perfekt
Because 'unterbrechen' is inseparable, the past participle is 'unterbrochen', not 'untergebrochen'. This is a common mistake for beginners. Always remember that inseparable verbs skip the 'ge-'.
Polite Interjections
In a professional meeting, use 'Darf ich kurz unterbrechen?' followed by your point. This shows you respect the speaker's time. It is much better than just starting to talk.
Noun Form
The noun 'die Unterbrechung' is very common. You will see it on signs or hear it in announcements. 'Technische Unterbrechung' means technical difficulties.
Wait for the Pause
In German culture, it is polite to wait for a small pause before interrupting. If you must interrupt, keep it brief and relevant. Overlapping speech is often considered chaotic.
예시
Bitte unterbrechen Sie mich nicht, wenn ich spreche.
관련 콘텐츠
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