der / das  Break

B2

Estimated CEFR level.

/bʁeɪ̯k/

🥁🎾 What does 'Break' mean? The Double Meaning

The word Break is an Anglicism, a loanword from English. In German, it has different meanings depending on the article:

🚨 Attention: The most common meanings are der Break in music/billiards and das Break in tennis. Other uses are rarer or specific.

🧐 Grammar in Detail: Declension of Break

Since "Break" has two genders, there are two declension patterns.

Declension "der Break" (masculine)

Declension "das Break" (neuter)

💡 Example Sentences

• Der Break des Schlagzeugers war legendär. (The drummer's break was legendary.)
• Er spielte einen fantastischen Break von 147 Punkten im Snooker. (He played a fantastic break of 147 points in snooker.)
• Sie schaffte das Break zum 5:3 im zweiten Satz. (She got the break to make it 5-3 in the second set.)
• Hoffentlich bekommen wir bald unseren "lucky Break". (Hopefully, we'll get our lucky break soon. - rare usage)

When to use 'der Break' vs. 'das Break'?

The choice of article clearly depends on the context:

• der Break: Almost exclusively used in music to describe a rhythmic interruption or solo ("Der Drum-Break ist der Höhepunkt des Songs." - The drum break is the highlight of the song.), or in billiards/snooker for a scoring run or the opening shot ("Er begann mit einem starken Break." - He started with a strong break.).
• das Break: This is the standard term in tennis and similar racket sports for winning the opponent's service game ("Mit diesem Break hat sie den Satz gewonnen." - With this break, she won the set.).

Comparison with die Pause: For a general interruption (e.g., at work, at school), the German word die Pause is much more common and natural than der Break. Example: "Wir machen jetzt eine Kaffeepause." (We're taking a coffee break now.) (not: "Wir machen jetzt einen Kaffee-Break.")

Context is key: If someone talks about "einem Break" (a break), you need to infer from the context whether they mean a musical element, a play in billiards, or an event in tennis. The article helps immensely!

🧠 Mnemonics to Remember 'Break'

For the articles:

• Think: DER MusikeR (the male musician) plays DER Break. (Masculine for music) / DER BillardspieLER (the male billiard player) makes DER Break.
• Think: DAS Spiel (the game - neuter) in tennis has DAS Break. (Neuter for tennis)

For the meaning:

• Imagine der drummer hitting the drum and taking a pause - that's der Break.
• Think of das net in tennis – the ball goes over, the opponent doesn't get the point – that's das Break!

🔄 Synonyms and Antonyms

⚠️ Confusingly Similar: The loanword "Break" should not be confused with the German verb brechen (e.g., ein Bein brechen - to break a leg, ein Versprechen brechen - to break a promise), although the basic meaning of "interruption" is similar.

😂 A Little Joke

German: Fragt der Tennislehrer seinen Schüler: "Na, wie läuft's mit dem Aufschlag?" Schüler: "Super! Ich mache ständig Breaks!" Lehrer: "Wirklich? Gegen wen spielst du denn?" Schüler: "Gegen mich selbst... ich verliere jedes Aufschlagspiel!" 🎾😅

English: The tennis coach asks his student: "So, how's the serve coming along?" Student: "Great! I'm getting breaks all the time!" Coach: "Really? Who are you playing against?" Student: "Myself... I lose every service game!" 🎾😅

🎼 A Little Rhyme about the Break

German:
Im Tennis zählt das Ass,
Doch mehr noch, ohne Spaß,
Bringt dir das Break den Sieg geschwind,
Wenn der Gegner Aufschlag nicht gewinnt.

Im Funk, da groovt der Bass,
Der Drummer gibt dann Gas.
Ein kurzer Stopp, ganz keck,
Das ist der coole Schlagzeug-Break!

English Translation:
In tennis, the ace counts high,
But even more, no lie,
Das Break brings victory fast,
When the opponent's serve doesn't last.

In funk, the bass finds its groove,
The drummer starts to move.
A short stop, bold and quick,
That's der cool drum Break's trick!

🤔 Riddle Time

German:
Mal bin ich männlich, mach Musik zum Hit,
Oder stoße Kugeln mit viel Schnitt.
Mal bin ich sächlich, auf dem Tennisplatz zu Haus,
Und raube dem Gegner den Service-Applaus.

Was bin ich?
... Der oder das Break

English Translation:
Sometimes I'm masculine, making music a hit,
Or striking billiard balls with skillful wit.
Sometimes I'm neuter, found on the tennis court's ground,
Stealing the server's applause all around.

What am I?
... Der or das Break

🌐 Other Information

Origin: The word "Break" comes directly from English and originally means "to break" or "interruption". It has established itself in various technical languages (music, sports) in German. / Das Wort "Break" kommt direkt aus dem Englischen.

Anglicism: As an Anglicism, "Break" is often pronounced in its English form. The plural formation with "-s" (Breaks) is also typical for English loanwords. / Als Anglizismus wird "Break" oft englisch ausgesprochen.

Compounds: The word can also be found in compound nouns such as Drum-Break (der), Breakball (der, tennis - break point ball), Breakchance (die, tennis - break point opportunity).