Breakdown of Plötzlich zerbricht der Assistent die Kreide, was sehr lustig ist.
sein
to be
sehr
very
lustig
funny
plötzlich
suddenly
der
who, which, that (relative pronoun; die, das)
der Assistent
the assistant
was
which (referring to a whole clause)
die Kreide
the chalk
zerbrechen
to break (into pieces)
Questions & Answers about Plötzlich zerbricht der Assistent die Kreide, was sehr lustig ist.
How does the prefix zer- in zerbricht change the meaning of the base verb brechen?
The prefix zer- indicates destruction or taking something apart. While brechen just means 'to break' generally, zerbrechen specifically means the chalk is being shattered or broken into pieces.
Does the verb zerbricht ever split up in a sentence?
No. The prefix zer-, just like ver- and ent-, is always inseparable. The prefix stays firmly attached to the verb, which is why it doesn't split into 'bricht ... zer' at the end of the clause.
Why does the second part of the sentence use was for 'which'?
If 'which' referred specifically to the chalk (die Kreide), we would use the feminine relative pronoun die. But here, 'which' refers to the entire action of the assistant breaking the chalk. Whenever a relative pronoun refers back to a whole idea or previous clause rather than a specific noun, German uses was.
Why does the subject der Assistent come after the verb zerbricht?
Because German main clauses follow the verb-second rule. The adverb Plötzlich (Suddenly) takes up the first position. The conjugated verb zerbricht must be in the second position, so the subject (der Assistent) is pushed to the third position.
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