Ways to say it
| German | IPA |
|---|---|
| zerreißen | /t͡sɛɐ̯ˈʁaɪ̯sn̩/ /t͡sɛɐ̯ˈʁaɪ̯sən/ |
| trennen | /ˈtʁɛnən/ |
| auftrennen | [ˈʔaufˌtʁɛnən] (narrow) [ˈʔaufˌtʁɛn̩] (narrow) |
| reißen | /ˈʁaɪ̯sn̩/ /ˈʁaɪ̯sən/ |
In German, the choice of word for 'rip' depends heavily on whether you are describing a violent destruction, a simple tear, a careful opening or a general separation.
Which one should you use?
Use zerreißen when the action results in the object being completely destroyed or divided into many pieces. Use reißen to describe the act of tearing or a rip occurring, often without implying the object is completely destroyed. Use auftrennen when you are carefully opening something along a seam or a specific line, such as a package or a wound. Use trennen for a general separation of parts, which may be physical or conceptual, rather than a violent tearing action.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The past participle of zerreißen is zerrissen, while the past participle of reißen is gerissen.
How do you pronounce it?
/tsɛɐ̯ˈʁaɪ̯sn̩/
Did you know?
- The German word reißen is a distant relative of the English word 'write'. Both come from an ancient root meaning 'to scratch' or 'to cut'.
- In German, the word reißen can describe both the physical act of ripping and the conceptual act of 'breaking' a record or a streak.
- The verb zerreißen is often used in the idiom sich in zwei Teile zerreißen, which describes being torn between two difficult choices.
Examples in context
- Ich kann dich mit meinen bloßen Händen zerreißen.I can rip you apart with my bare hands.This sentence shows how to use zerreißen to express the idea of ripping something apart.Tatoeba #1521434 by Pfirsichbaeumchen, translation #1515658 by CK
- Die Kassiererin steckt gewöhnlich zwei Papiertüten ineinander, da sie leicht reißen.The cashier usually doubles up the paper bags, since they rip easily.This sentence demonstrates the use of reißen to describe something tearing easily.Tatoeba #13384066 by Waldelfe, translation #13306320 by frpzzd
- Unser aufrichtiges Beileid in dieser schweren Zeit. Möge der Verstorbene in Frieden ruhen.Our sincere condolences during this difficult time. May the deceased rest in peace.
- Unsere Gebete und Gedanken sind bei Ihnen. Möge der Verstorbene in Gottes Hand sein.Our prayers and thoughts are with you. May the deceased be in God's hands.
Example conversation
Felix and Hannah are cleaning up old documents.
- FelixSoll ich diese alten Briefe zerreißen?Should I rip up these old letters?
- HannahJa, wir brauchen sie nicht mehr.Yes, we don't need them anymore.
- FelixIch werde sie komplett zerreißen.I will rip them up completely.
- HannahDas ist eine gute Idee, Felix.That is a good idea, Felix.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “rip” translations and entries zerreißen, trennen, auftrennen, reißen, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries auftrennen, reißen, trennen, zerreißen, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
