This is the 2515th most frequent German word.
tränen
"Tränen" means "tears" in English.
In this sentence, 'Tränen' acts as a plural noun metaphorically referring to the emotional reaction to reading the letter.
Er hat den Brief zu fassen begonnen, der ihm die Tränen brachte.
He began to grasp the letter that brought him to tears.
In this sentence, 'Tränen' is used as a plural noun referring to droplets of tears associated with crying.
Tränen fließen über ihr Gesicht.
Tears flow down her face.
Here, 'tränen' is used as a verb meaning 'to tear' or 'to form tears,' describing an involuntary physical reaction.