der  Abriss

B2

Estimated CEFR level.

/ˈapˌʁɪs/

🏗️ What does "der Abriss" mean?

The German word der Abriss primarily has two meanings:

1. The demolition or tearing down of a structure: This is the most common meaning. It refers to the process of taking down a building, wall, or other structure.

   Example: Der Abriss des alten Bahnhofs beginnt nächste Woche. (The demolition of the old train station starts next week.)

2. A brief outline or summary: This meaning is more abstract and less common than the first. It describes a shortened account of a topic, text, or series of events.

   Example: Er gab einen kurzen Abriss der Firmengeschichte. (He gave a brief outline of the company's history.)

⚠️ It's important to understand the context to know which meaning is intended.

🔍 Grammar in Detail: Der Abriss

Der Abriss is a masculine noun. Its plural form is die Abrisse.

Example Sentences

• Der Abriss der alten Fabrik schafft Platz für neue Wohnungen. (The demolition of the old factory creates space for new apartments. - Meaning: Demolition)
• Der Abriss des Hauses war laut und staubig. (The demolition of the house was loud and dusty. - Meaning: Demolition)
• Gib mir bitte einen kurzen Abriss des Projekts. (Please give me a brief outline of the project. - Meaning: Outline/Summary)
• Im ersten Kapitel finden Sie einen historischen Abriss. (In the first chapter, you will find a historical overview. - Meaning: Outline/Summary)

🗣️ How to use "Abriss"?

The usage of der Abriss strongly depends on the intended meaning:

• Demolition: Mostly used in the context of construction work, urban planning, or the end of a building's lifespan. Often associated with words like Gebäude (building), Haus (house), Mauer (wall), Brücke (bridge). Typical verbs include beginnen (to begin), planen (to plan), genehmigen (to approve), durchführen (to carry out). You often speak of 'der Abriss von etwas' (the demolition of something).
• Outline/Summary: Used more in written or spoken presentations to provide a brief overview. Often associated with words like Thema (topic), Geschichte (history), Ereignisse (events), Projekt (project). Typical adjectives are kurz (brief), historisch (historical), grob (rough). You often speak of 'ein Abriss über etwas' (an outline about something) or 'ein Abriss von etwas' (an outline of something).

Risk of Confusion: The word sounds similar to Anriss (initial draft, small tear) or Aufriss (elevation view in engineering; colloquial: chat-up attempt), but has completely different meanings.

💡 Mnemonics to Remember

Article Mnemonic: For demolition (Abriss), you often need der Bagger (the excavator) or der Hammer (the hammer). Masculine tools help remember der Abriss.

Meaning Mnemonic: Think of the German verb components: "ab" (away/off) + "reißen" (to tear). So, Abriss involves 'tearing away' (demolition) or 'tearing out' the main points (summary/outline).

🔄 Synonyms & Antonyms

Similar but misleading words: der Anriss (small tear, initial draft), der Aufriss (technical drawing; attempt to chat someone up).

😄 A Little Joke

Warum hat der Architekt beim Abriss seines alten Hauses geweint?
Er hatte zu viele tragende Erinnerungen!

(Why did the architect cry during the demolition of his old house?
He had too many supporting/load-bearing memories! - It's a pun: 'tragend' means both 'load-bearing' [like a wall] and 'significant/carrying' [like memories]).

📜 Poem about the Word

Der Bagger kommt, mit lautem Krach,
Macht dem alten Haus den Garaus, ach!
Stein auf Stein fällt, Staub wallt auf,
Der Abriss nimmt jetzt seinen Lauf.

Doch auch im Text, ganz kurz und knapp,
Ein Abriss dient als erster Tapp.
Die Punkte schnell zusammengefasst,
Damit du gleich das Wesentliche hast.

The excavator comes, with a loud crash,
Finishes off the old house, alas!
Stone by stone falls, dust swirls up high,
The demolition now passes by.

But also in text, concise and neat,
An outline serves as the first feat.
The points quickly brought together,
So you grasp the essence, whatever the weather.

❓ Riddle Time

Ich mache Altem Platz für Neu,
Ob Haus, ob Mauer, mir ist's einerlei.
Manchmal fasse ich auch kurz zusammen,
Was lange Texte einst entstammen.

Was bin ich?

I make way for the new, replacing the old,
Whether house or wall, a story untold.
Sometimes I briefly summarize,
What long texts once comprised.

What am I?

Solution: der Abriss (demolition / outline)

🧩 Word Components & Trivia

The word Abriss is composed of:

• ab-: A prefix often indicating separation, removal, or reduction (like in abreisen - to depart, abbauen - to dismantle).
• Riss: From the verb reißen (to tear, rip, pull strongly). A Riss is a tear, crack, or fissure.

Combined, it signifies the action of 'tearing away', 'tearing down', or metaphorically 'tearing out' the core points for a summary.