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

📅 Published: September 28, 2025

🌶️ Mexican Slang

romper

verb • /[rom-PER]/

to break

Example:

Voy a romper el récord.

I’m going to break the record.

🧠 What does romper mean?

While 'romper' formally means 'to break,' in Mexican slang, it takes on the meaning of 'to start' or 'to begin,' often referring to a party, a fight, or a sudden action. Think of it like something 'breaking loose.' It can also mean 'to give way' or 'to break down' emotionally.

📚 Extra examples

  • ¡Ya rompieron la piñata!
    They've already broken open the piñata!
  • Rompió a llorar cuando escuchó la noticia.
    She broke down crying when she heard the news.
  • Se va a romper una pelea aquí.
    A fight's about to break out here.
  • La fiesta rompió a las 10.
    The party got started at 10.

💡 Did You Know?

The slang meaning of 'romper' in Mexico adds a vibrant, dynamic layer to the language. It's a great example of how context changes a word's meaning.

🔁 Synonyms & opposites of "romper"

Synonyms: quebrar, fracturar, comenzar (slang), iniciar (slang)
Opposites: arreglar, reparar, componer

🔍 See more mexican slang words

❓ FAQ

How do you say 'to break' in Spanish?
The most common way to say 'to break' in Spanish is 'romper.' Other verbs like 'quebrar' and 'fracturar' also exist, but 'romper' is the most versatile.
How do you pronounce 'romper' in Spanish?
It's pronounced rom-PEHR, with the emphasis on the second syllable.
How do you use 'romper' in a sentence?
You can use 'romper' in many ways, such as 'Rompí mi pierna' (I broke my leg), or in its slang form 'La fiesta rompió tarde' (The party started late).
What is the English translation of 'romper'?
The literal translation is 'to break,' but in Mexican slang, it can also mean 'to start,' 'to begin,' or 'to break down' (emotionally).
Does 'romper' change for gender or number?
Yes, 'romper' conjugates like a regular -er verb in Spanish, changing its form based on the subject pronoun (yo rompo, tú rompes, él/ella/usted rompe, nosotros rompemos, vosotros rompéis, ellos/ellas/ustedes rompen).
Is 'romper' common in everyday Spanish?
Yes, 'romper' is a very common verb used in all Spanish-speaking countries. Its slang meanings are especially prevalent in Mexico.
Does 'romper' have slang or double meanings?
Yes, as mentioned, 'romper' has slang meanings in Mexican Spanish, such as 'to start' (a party or fight) or 'to break down' (crying).
Is 'romper' used differently in Spain vs Latin America?
While the formal meaning of 'to break' is universal, the slang usage of 'romper' to mean 'to start' or 'to break down' is more common in Mexican Spanish than in Spain.
How do you conjugate 'romper' in Spanish?
Here's the present tense conjugation: Yo rompo Tú rompes Él/Ella/Usted rompe Nosotros/Nosotras rompemos Vosotros/Vosotras rompéis Ellos/Ellas/Ustedes rompen

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