noun
burglary, break-in
B1
Einbruch is a masculine noun meaning burglary or break-in. Article: der Einbruch; plural: die Einbrüche (umlaut + -e). Genitive singular: des Einbruchs. Often used with in + accusative (Einbruch in ein Haus) or Einbruch der Nacht (sudden onset). Common in legal and news contexts.
Examples
Letzte Woche gab es einen Einbruch in unserer Nachbarschaft.
There was a burglary in our neighborhood last week.
Nach dem Einbruch überprüfte die Firma die Sicherheitssysteme, weil der Schaden groß war.
After the break-in, the company checked the security systems because the damage was extensive.
Die Polizei spricht von mehreren Einbrüchen in der Stadt.
The police are reporting several break-ins in the city.
Details
Mnemonics
Picture a broken window and a burglar climbing in at night — a clear 'break-in' image.
Sounds like 'in-brook' — imagine someone breaking into a house near a brook.
DER Einbruch — imagine a big male guard (DER) protecting the house from the break-in.
Notes
Einbruch commonly refers to an unlawful entry (burglary) but can also mean a sudden collapse or drop (e.g., 'einbruch der Temperaturen' = a sudden fall in temperatures).