partir
/par-TEER/
to divide
Partir means 'to divide,' often used when separating something into parts, like cutting an apple.
partir(verb)
to divide
?sharing or separating into parts
,to split
?breaking something cleanly
to cut
?in relation to food, often 'to cut in half'
,to share
?distributing among people
📝 In Action
Necesito partir el pastel en ocho rebanadas iguales.
A1I need to cut the cake into eight equal slices.
Partieron la leña para la chimenea antes de la cena.
A2They split the firewood for the fireplace before dinner.
Ellos partieron la herencia entre los tres hermanos.
B1They divided the inheritance among the three siblings.
💡 Grammar Points
Transitive Use
In this sense, 'partir' is transitive, meaning the action directly affects something. You must always say what you are dividing or splitting.
When you use partir to mean 'to leave,' you are describing departing from a place.
partir(verb)
to leave
?to depart from a place
,to set off
?to start a journey
to be off
?informal way of saying you are leaving
📝 In Action
El tren a Sevilla parte a las siete en punto.
A2The train to Seville leaves exactly at seven o'clock.
¿A qué hora partimos de la casa mañana?
A2What time are we leaving the house tomorrow?
Partieron rumbo al norte en busca de nuevas tierras.
B1They set off toward the north in search of new lands.
💡 Grammar Points
Using Prepositions
When talking about leaving a place, 'partir' is often followed by 'de' (from) or 'desde' (from/since), or 'a/para' (to/for) when stating the destination.
❌ Common Pitfalls
Confusing 'Partir' and 'Dejar'
Mistake: "Voy a dejar de aquí."
Correction: Voy a partir de aquí. ('Dejar' means to leave an object behind or to allow someone to do something.)
⭐ Usage Tips
Formal Departure
'Partir' is often slightly more formal or used for scheduled departures (trains, planes) than 'salir' or 'irse'.
Partir can also mean 'to break' or fracture, like snapping a piece of wood.
partir(verb)
to break
?a bone, a plate, etc. (often reflexive)
,to crack up
?to burst out laughing (partirse de risa)
to fracture
?a physical injury
,to break one's heart
?partir el corazón (non-reflexive, figurative)
📝 In Action
Se me partió un plato cuando estaba lavando los trastes.
B1A plate broke on me when I was washing the dishes.
El chiste fue tan bueno que nos partimos de risa.
B2The joke was so good that we cracked up laughing.
Ese acontecimiento le partió el alma.
C1That event broke his spirit (or heart).
💡 Grammar Points
Accidental 'Se'
When an object breaks by accident (like a plate), use the structure 'se' + indirect object pronoun (me, te, le, etc.) + verb. Example: 'Se me partió el vaso' (The glass broke on me).
❌ Common Pitfalls
Using 'Partir' for Everything
Mistake: "No puedes partir esa regla (You can't break that rule)."
Correction: No puedes romper esa regla. ('Romper' is better for breaking rules or promises. 'Partir' implies splitting something physically.)
🔄 Conjugations
indicative
present
imperfect
preterite
subjunctive
present
imperfect
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: partir
Question 1 of 3
Which translation of 'partir' is used in the phrase: 'Nos partimos de risa'?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
Is 'partir' irregular?
No, 'partir' is a regular verb. You follow the standard pattern for all verbs ending in -ir, making it easy to conjugate once you know the pattern.
When should I use 'partir' instead of 'salir' or 'irse' for leaving?
'Partir' often implies the beginning of a longer journey or a scheduled departure (like a plane or train). 'Salir' is more general (to go out), and 'irse' emphasizes moving away from the current location.