aufbrechen

This verb is a "separable verb" in German. This sounds scary, but it is actually quite fun. The auf part likes to travel. In a normal sentence, it jumps to the very end. You say Ich breche auf to mean "I am leaving." If you want to say "We are leaving early tomorrow," you say Wir brechen morgen früh auf. If you use a helper verb like wollen (to want), it stays together: Ich will jetzt aufbrechen. Just remember to keep that auf at the finish line. It’s like a little reward for finishing your sentence.

Use this when you are leaving a social event. It’s perfect for hikers starting a trail in the Alps. Use it when you are texting a friend to say you're leaving your house. It works well in professional settings too. If a meeting is over, you can suggest it’s time to head out. It sounds purposeful and energetic. It’s the "let's do this" of departures. You’ll hear it often in movies when heroes start a quest. It carries a sense of "the journey begins now."

Don't use aufbrechen for tiny movements. If you are just going to the fridge, don't say it. It would sound like you’re starting an epic quest for milk. Also, don't use it if you are being forced to leave. If someone kicks you out, you don't aufbrechen, you just gehen. It usually implies a voluntary or planned departure. It’s also not for vehicles. A train doesn't aufbrechen; it fährt ab. Use it for people or groups of people.

Germans love the outdoors and "Wandern" (hiking). Aufbrechen is the classic hiking verb. It reflects a culture that values preparation and clear starts. Historically, the word could mean "to break open." Think of breaking a seal or opening a path. Today, it feels very positive. It’s often linked to "Aufbruchstimmung." This is the feeling of excitement before a big change. It’s a very "proactive" word. It shows you are in control of your movement.

You will often hear sich aufmachen. This is very similar but feels a bit more personal. Losgehen is the most common casual alternative. It just means "to start walking." If you want to sound more formal, you might use abreisen. That is specifically for leaving on a trip or vacation. Then there is the noun der Aufbruch. You’ll see this in news headlines about political or social changes. It’s a powerful word for a fresh start.