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desgarrar

des-gah-RAHR/desɡaˈraɾ/

“desgarrar” means “to tear” in Spanish. It has 2 different meanings depending on context:

to tear, to rip

Also: to lacerate
VerbB1regular ar
A piece of colorful fabric being pulled apart and ripping in the center.
gerunddesgarrando
past Participledesgarrado
infinitivedesgarrar

📝 In Action

Ten cuidado con el clavo, puedes desgarrar tu chaqueta.

B1

Be careful with the nail, you might tear your jacket.

El perro desgarró el sofá con sus uñas.

B1

The dog ripped the sofa with its claws.

El atleta se desgarró un músculo durante la carrera.

B2

The athlete tore a muscle during the race.

Word Connections

Synonyms

Antonyms

Common Collocations

  • desgarrar la ropa – to tear one's clothes
  • desgarrarse un músculo – to tear a muscle

to break (heart), to rend

VerbB2regular ar
A simple red heart shape with a jagged crack down the middle.

📝 In Action

Sus palabras me desgarraron el corazón.

B2

Her words broke my heart.

La despedida desgarró a la familia.

B2

The farewell tore the family apart.

Un grito desgarró el silencio de la noche.

C1

A scream pierced the silence of the night.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • afligir (to afflict/distress)
  • traspasar (to pierce through)

Common Collocations

  • desgarrar el alma – to tear at the soul
  • grito desgarrador – heart-rending/piercing scream

🔄 Conjugations

subjunctive

imperfect

ellos/ellas/ustedesdesgarraran
yodesgarrara
túdesgarraras
vosotrosdesgarrarais
nosotrosdesgarráramos
él/ella/usteddesgarrara

present

ellos/ellas/ustedesdesgarren
yodesgarre
túdesgarres
vosotrosdesgarréis
nosotrosdesgarremos
él/ella/usteddesgarre

indicative

preterite

ellos/ellas/ustedesdesgarraron
yodesgarré
túdesgarraste
vosotrosdesgarrasteis
nosotrosdesgarramos
él/ella/usteddesgarró

imperfect

ellos/ellas/ustedesdesgarraban
yodesgarraba
túdesgarrabas
vosotrosdesgarrabais
nosotrosdesgarrábamos
él/ella/usteddesgarraba

present

ellos/ellas/ustedesdesgarran
yodesgarro
túdesgarras
vosotrosdesgarráis
nosotrosdesgarramos
él/ella/usteddesgarra
View All Tenses & Moods →

Translate to Spanish

Words that translate to "desgarrar" in Spanish:

to lacerate→to rend→to rip→to tear→

✏️ Quick Practice

Quick Quiz: desgarrar

Question 1 of 3

Which of these things would you likely 'desgarrar'?

📚 More Resources

👥 Word Family▼
desgarro(a tear or muscle strain) — Noun
desgarrador(heart-rending / piercing) — Adjective
desgarrado(torn / ragged) — Adjective
🎵 Rhymes▼
📚 Etymology▼

Comes from the prefix 'des-' (meaning 'apart' or 'removal') combined with 'garra' (claw). It literally means to pull something apart with claws.

First recorded: 13th century

Cognates (Related words)

Portuguese: desgarrar

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between 'rasgar' and 'desgarrar'?

They are very similar. 'Rasgar' is often used for clean rips in paper or fabric. 'Desgarrar' sounds more violent, forceful, or destructive, and is the standard word for muscle injuries.

Can I use 'desgarrar' for a broken bone?

No. For bones, use the verb 'romper' or 'fracturar'. 'Desgarrar' is only for soft tissues or materials.

Is it a regular verb?

Yes! It follows the standard pattern for all -ar verbs in all tenses.