expression, godan verb (-ru)
break the silence; break one's silence
Used when someone speaks or makes a sound after a period of silence, often in a tense or awkward atmosphere.
長い沈黙の後、彼がついに沈黙を破った。
After a long silence, he finally broke the silence.
誰も話さないので、私が
Since no one was speaking, I broke the silence and asked a question.