der  Einbruch

B2

Estimated CEFR level.

/ˈaɪ̯nbʁʊx/

🕵️ What Exactly is an Einbruch?

The noun der Einbruch (masculine) has several meanings:

• Criminal Act: The most common meaning is the forceful entry into a building, usually with the intent to steal. This is often referred to as Einbruchdiebstahl (burglary involving theft). 🚓
• Sudden Onset: It can also describe the sudden beginning of something, often related to natural phenomena or periods of time. For example, der Einbruch der Nacht (nightfall) 🌃 or der Wintereinbruch (sudden onset of winter) ❄️.
• Sharp Decline / Slump: In an economic or statistical context, an Einbruch refers to a sudden, sharp decline or drop in values, prices, performance, etc. For instance, a Kurseinbruch (stock market crash) 📉 or an Umsatzeinbruch (slump in sales).

🚨 Important: Although all meanings involve the concept of 'breaking' (through a barrier, into a time period, downwards), the contexts are very different.

Article rules for der, die, and das

🧐 Grammar: Der Einbruch in Detail

Der Einbruch is a masculine noun. It follows the strong declension pattern.

Declension Singular

Note: The genitive and dative singular can optionally add an '-e' (Einbruches, Einbruche), but this sounds more formal or dated.

Declension Plural

Example Sentences

1. (Criminal Act) Die Polizei untersucht den Einbruch in das Juweliergeschäft.
   (The police are investigating the burglary at the jewelry store.)
2. (Sudden Onset) Mit Einbruch der Dunkelheit wurde es empfindlich kalt.
   (With the onset of darkness, it became noticeably cold.)
3. (Sharp Decline) Der unerwartete Einbruch der Verkaufszahlen bereitete dem Unternehmen Sorgen.
   (The unexpected slump in sales figures worried the company.)

💡 How to Use 'Einbruch'?

The usage of der Einbruch heavily depends on the context:

• Crime: Used in police reports, news, or conversations about security. Often paired with verbs like verüben (to commit), verhindern (to prevent), aufklären (to solve) or nouns like Schaden (damage), Täter (perpetrator), Polizei (police). Example: "Der durch den Einbruch entstandene Schaden ist hoch." (The damage caused by the burglary is high.)
• Time/Weather: More common in descriptive or literary contexts. Typical phrases are "bei Einbruch der Nacht/Dämmerung" (at nightfall/dusk) or "plötzlicher Wintereinbruch/Kälteeinbruch" (sudden onset of winter/cold snap).
• Economy/Statistics: Found in news, reports, or analyses. Often related to stock prices, sales, profits, visitor numbers, etc. Example: "Nach dem Skandal erlebte die Aktie einen dramatischen Einbruch." (After the scandal, the stock experienced a dramatic slump.)

Distinguishing from similar words:

• Der Diebstahl (theft): Refers only to the act of stealing property, not necessarily the forceful entry. An Einbruch often leads to Diebstahl (Einbruchdiebstahl - burglary involving theft), but not every Diebstahl is the result of an Einbruch.
• Der Beginn / Der Anfang (the beginning/start): Neutral terms for the start of something. 'Einbruch' in this sense always implies something sudden, often unexpected, or even negative (like cold or darkness).
• Der Rückgang / Der Abfall (the decline/drop): More general terms for a reduction. 'Einbruch' denotes a particularly sharp, sudden, and often negative decline.

🧠 Mnemonics to Remember

Article Mnemonic (der): Think of der Einbrecher (the burglar, masculine perpetrator) who forcefully breaks in (einbricht). The act itself, der Einbruch, takes the masculine article from the typical actor.

Meaning Mnemonic: Imagine something 'breaking' through a boundary: A thief **bricht ein** (breaks into) a house. The night **bricht herein** (breaks in/falls) over the day. Economic figures **brechen ein** (break down/slump). The common element is the sudden 'breaking in'.

🔄 Similar and Opposing Words

⚠️ Watch Out for These

• Der Durchbruch (breakthrough): Means successfully overcoming an obstacle or a significant advance (e.g., scientific breakthrough). Almost the opposite of a negative Einbruch.
• Der Ausbruch (outbreak, escape): Can mean escaping (from prison) or the sudden start of something negative (disease, volcano).

😂 A Little Joke

Fragt der Richter den Angeklagten: "Warum sind Sie denn ausgerechnet nachts in das Geschäft eingebrochen?"
Antwortet der Angeklagte: "Herr Richter, tagsüber sind da doch viel zu viele Leute!"

Translation:
The judge asks the defendant: "Why did you break into the shop at night, of all times?"
The defendant replies: "Your Honor, during the day there are far too many people there!"

📜 A Little Poem

Die Scheibe splittert, leis' und schnell,
der Einbruch kommt, die Nacht ist hell
für Diebesaugen, scharf und klar,
doch bald ertönt die Polizei-Fanfar'.

Oder dunkler wird die Welt,
wenn Nachteinbruch das Licht vergällt.
Und friert das Land im Winterweiß,
ist's der Kalteinbruch, der fordert seinen Preis.

Translation:
The window shatters, quiet and fast,
the burglary comes, the night's contrast
is bright for thieving eyes, sharp and clear,
but soon the police fanfare is near.

Or darker grows the world around,
when nightfall makes the light unbound.
And freezes land in winter white,
it's the cold snap's onset, claiming its price and might.

🧩 Who or What Am I?

Ich komme oft im Dunkeln, ungefragt,
und hinterlasse Schrecken, unverzagt.
Ich kann auch Kälte bringen, oder Nacht,
und Börsenkurse hab ich schon zum Stürzen gebracht.

Was bin ich?
... Der Einbruch

Translation:
I often come in darkness, uninvited,
and leave behind fear, undaunted.
I can also bring cold, or the night,
and stock market prices I've caused to take flight (downwards).

What am I?
... Der Einbruch (burglary / onset / slump)

🧐 More Tidbits

Word Composition

The word Einbruch is composed of:

• The prefix ein-: expresses movement inwards or the beginning of something.
• The verb stem bruch (from brechen - to break): means breaking, breaching, interrupting.

So, the combination literally means 'breaking in' or 'breaking forth/into'.

Trivia

Statistically, most residential burglaries (Wohnungseinbrüche) in Germany don't happen at night, but during the day when residents are at work or school. The term Nachteinbruch refers more commonly to the onset of night (nightfall).