Before you start
Meet aufbrechen
Read how the verb is used, then write your own 10 sentences with it.
Build the meaning
auf- + brechen
- auf-
- open or begin outward
- brechen
- to break
Think of breaking something open—or breaking away from where you are to start a journey.
So aufbrechen means to break open; to set off.
A memory aid, not a rule: prefixes change meaning from verb to verb.
Learning approach inspired by this explanation in r/German.
Verb family
More verbs built on brechen
Same base verb, a different prefix, a new meaning.
Separable verb: auf·brechen
In a main clause the prefix auf splits off and goes to the end. After weil, dass and other subordinating words, the verb stays in one piece at the end.
Main clauseSie bricht um acht Uhr auf.She sets off at eight o’clock.
Subordinate clauseEr bleibt hier, weil wir erst später aufbrechen.He is staying here because we are setting off later.
Participle: aufgebrochenzu-infinitive: aufzubrechen
Forms
How aufbrechen changes
| Pronoun | Präsens | Präteritum |
|---|---|---|
| ich | breche auf | brach auf |
| du | brichst auf | brachst auf |
| er/sie/es | bricht auf | brach auf |
| wir | brechen auf | brachen auf |
| ihr | brecht auf | bracht auf |
| Sie | brechen auf | brachen auf |
Partizip II aufgebrochen · Perfekt with sein
Three examples
- 1Ich breche morgen früh auf.I’m setting off early tomorrow.prefix goes to the end
- 2Wir haben die Tür aufgebrochen.We broke open the door.Perfekt with haben
- 3Ich weiß, dass sie jetzt aufbricht.I know that she is setting off now.verb at the end after dass
Task 1 of 10 · Build a sentence
Build a German sentence using these words:
aufbrechen + die Familie
Your challenge
- 1Use the present tense.
- 2Say when the family sets off.
Task 2 of 10 · Translate
Translate into German:
They set off earlyfrüh, and we saw them laterspät.
Stuck on a word? Hover or tap an underlined word to see it in German.
Task 3 of 10 · Translate
Translate into German:
When I was a childdas Kind, die Kinder, we set off earlyfrüh on Sundaysder Sonntag, die Sonntage.
Stuck on a word? Hover or tap an underlined word to see it in German.
Task 4 of 10 · Translate
Translate into German:
She set off earlyfrüh because she had a longlang journeydie Reise, die Reisen.
Stuck on a word? Hover or tap an underlined word to see it in German.
Task 5 of 10 · Translate
Translate into German:
The peopleder Mensch, die Menschen who set off with us were my neighborsder Nachbar, die Nachbarn.
Stuck on a word? Hover or tap an underlined word to see it in German.
Task 6 of 10 · Translate
Translate into German:
We must set off now, or we will missverpassen the busder Bus, die Busse.
Stuck on a word? Hover or tap an underlined word to see it in German.
Task 7 of 10 · Translate
Translate into German:
He got upaufstehen earlyfrüh to set off before the trafficder Verkehr.
Stuck on a word? Hover or tap an underlined word to see it in German.
Task 8 of 10 · Translate
Translate into German:
When did you set off, and did you take the trainder Zug, die Züge?
Stuck on a word? Hover or tap an underlined word to see it in German.
Task 9 of 10 · Build a sentence
Build a German sentence using these words:
aufbrechen + obwohl
Your challenge
- 1Start with an obwohl-clause.
- 2Put its verb at the end.
- 3Use the present tense in the main clause.
Task 10 of 10 · Free writing
Answer in one full German sentence:
When do you usually set off for a trip?
Your challenge
- 1Answer with one sentence using the present tense.
- 2Say when you usually set off.