die Schule abbrechen
The English phrase "drop out of school" is translated into German as die Schule abbrechen.
The phrase is used to describe leaving school before completing a course of study or receiving a diploma. Note that while die Schule abbrechen refers to primary or secondary school, if you are dropping out of a university degree, you should use das Studium abbrechen.
What does it mean word for word?
The verb abbrechen literally means "to break off" or "to abort", implying a sudden or premature termination of a process.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In certain regions of Switzerland, us d'Schuel usstige might be used to mean drop out of school.
How does it change in a sentence?
The past participle of the phrase is die Schule abgebrochen, which is used with auxiliary verbs like haben to form perfect tenses.
Did you know?
- The German word for school Schule is a very old loanword from the Latin schola and the Greek schole, which originally meant 'leisure' or 'spare time'.
- The verb abbrechen is so strongly associated with sudden termination that it is the same word used for aborting a space mission or a technical process in computing.
- Because abbrechen is a separable verb, the prefix ab will often fly to the very end of a sentence. For example, in a simple sentence, you would say 'Ich breche die Schule ab'.
Examples in context
- Tom wollte die Schule abbrechen.Tom wanted to drop out of school.This sentence shows the use of die Schule abbrechen to express a desire to drop out.Tatoeba #3937851 by Dani6187, translation #3189135 by CK
- „Ich will die Schule abbrechen und mich ganz der Musik widmen.“ – „Überlege dir gut, was du tust!“"I want to drop out of school and dedicate myself entirely to music." "Think about what you're doing!"This sentence shows a conversation regarding the decision to die Schule abbrechen to pursue music.Tatoeba #3270626 by Pfirsichbaeumchen, translation #10132004 by DJ_Saidez
- Ich habe beschlossen, die Schule abzubrechen und stattdessen eine Ausbildung zu beginnen.I have decided to drop out of school and start vocational training instead.
- Sie hat die Schulausbildung abgebrochen, um ihre Leidenschaft für die Kunst zu verfolgen.She dropped out of school to pursue her passion for art.
- Obwohl er die Schule abgebrochen hat, hat er hart gearbeitet, um seinen Lebenstraum zu verwirklichen.Although he dropped out of school, he worked hard to pursue his lifelong dream.
- Viele Schüler wollen die Schule abbrechen, wenn es zu schwer wird.Many students want to drop out of school when it gets too difficult.
- 1 more sentence on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Laura and Lukas are talking about their friend's decision at a cafe.
- LauraHast du gehört? Er will die Schule abbrechen.Did you hear? He wants to drop out of school.
- LukasEcht? Das ist eine sehr schlechte Idee.Really? That is a very bad idea.
- LauraEr sagt, er möchte lieber eine Ausbildung machen.He says he would rather do an apprenticeship.
- LukasDas ist für ihn vielleicht besser als die Schule.Maybe that is better for him than school.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
