Lael logo

romper means to break — a common term in Essential Spanish. Learn how it's used in a real-world example.

📅 Published: November 9, 2025

📘 Essential Spanish

romper

verb • /[rom-PER]/

to break

Example:

Cuidado, puedes romper el vaso.

Careful, you might break the glass.

🧠 What does romper mean?

The verb 'romper' means 'to break' and is used to describe causing something to separate into pieces, often due to a blow or force. It applies to physical objects, like breaking a glass ('romper un vaso') or a bone ('romper un hueso'). Figuratively, 'romper' is used in various common expressions, such as ending a relationship ('romper con alguien'), breaking a record ('romper un récord'), or breaking the silence ('romper el silencio'). It can also mean 'to tear', as in 'romper papel' (to tear paper).

📚 Extra examples

  • El niño rompió el jarrón por accidente.
    The child broke the vase by accident.
  • Ten cuidado de no romper el papel de regalo.
    Be careful not to tear the wrapping paper.
  • Ana rompió con su novio la semana pasada.
    Ana broke up with her boyfriend last week.
  • Si rompes la ley, tendrás consecuencias.
    If you break the law, there will be consequences.

💡 Did You Know?

A key detail for learners is the irregular past participle of 'romper', which is 'roto', not 'rompido'. This is why one says 'he roto' (I have broken) and 'la silla está rota' (the chair is broken).

🔁 Synonyms & opposites of "romper"

Synonyms: quebrar, destrozar, fracturar, partir
Opposites: reparar, arreglar, unir, componer

🔍 See more essential spanish words

❓ FAQ

How do you say 'to break' in Spanish?
The most common way to say 'to break' in Spanish is 'romper'. For more specific contexts, such as a car breaking down, the verb 'averiarse' is often used.
How do you pronounce 'romper' in Spanish?
The word 'romper' is pronounced /romˈpeɾ/. The 'r' at the beginning is a strong, tapped 'r', and the final 'r' is a single tap.
How do you use 'romper' in a sentence?
An example sentence is: 'Se me rompió el móvil al caerse al suelo.' (My phone broke when it fell on the floor.) It is often used reflexively with 'se' to indicate accidental breaking.
What is the English translation of 'romper'?
The primary English translation of 'romper' is 'to break'. It can also mean 'to tear', 'to shatter', or, in the context of relationships, 'to break up with'.
Does 'romper' change for gender or number?
As a verb, 'romper' does not change for gender or number; it is conjugated based on the subject and tense. Its past participle, 'roto', however, functions as an adjective and must agree in gender and number with the noun it describes (e.g., 'la ventana rota', 'los platos rotos').
Is 'romper' common in everyday Spanish?
Yes, 'romper' is a very common verb used frequently in both physical and figurative contexts in everyday Spanish conversation.
Does 'romper' have slang or double meanings?
Yes, in some regions, the expression 'romperla' is slang for 'to kill it' or 'to be a great success'. For instance, 'El artista la rompió en el concierto' means the artist was a huge success at the concert.
Is 'romper' used differently in Spain vs Latin America?
The primary meanings of 'romper' are consistent across all Spanish-speaking regions. While some local slang uses may exist, the core definitions for breaking an object or ending a relationship are universally understood.
How do you conjugate 'romper' in Spanish?
'Romper' is a regular -er verb in most tenses. For example, in the present indicative: yo rompo, tú rompes, él/ella/usted rompe, nosotros rompemos, vosotros rompéis, ellos/ellas/ustedes rompen. Its past participle, however, is irregular: 'roto'.

📱 Download the App

Get reminders · Save favorites · Share words

Lael App Logo

Lael: Spanish Word of the Day

Download on the App Store