break
Meaning: To separate into pieces by force; a pause or interruption; a period of rest
'Break' as a verb means to damage something so it separates into pieces, or to interrupt continuity. As a noun, it's a pause or rest period. 'Take a break' means to rest. 'Break down' can mean malfunction or lose emotional control. 'Breakthrough' is an important discovery.
Examples
- Be careful not to break the glass. 小心不要打碎玻璃杯。Ten cuidado de no romper el vaso.グラスを割らないように気をつけて。유리잔을 깨뜨리지 않도록 조심하세요.
- Let's take a short break for coffee. 我们休息一下喝杯咖啡吧。Hagamos una pequeña pausa para tomar café.ちょっとコーヒー休憩にしましょう。잠깐 커피 휴식 시간을 가집시다.
- The car broke down on the motorway. 车在高速公路上抛锚了。El coche se averió en la autopista.車が高速道路で故障しました。차가 고속도로에서 고장 났습니다.
Pronunciation
Usage Guide
Context: general
Tone: neutral
Origin & History
From Old English 'brecan' meaning 'to shatter, to burst', from Proto-Germanic 'brekaną'. One of the oldest verbs in English. Cognate with German 'brechen' and Dutch 'breken'. The noun sense of a pause or rest developed in the 16th century.
Cultural Context
Era: Modern
Generation: All ages
Social background: Universal
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