Inklingo
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rompe

/Rohm-peh/

breaks

A cartoon child wearing a green shirt uses both hands to forcefully snap a brown wooden stick completely in half, illustrating the action of breaking.

This image shows a figure that 'breaks' (rompe) the stick.

rompe(Verb (Conjugation))

A1regular (in stem, irregular in past participle) er

breaks

?

He/She/It breaks (something physical)

,

shatters

?

Something fragile shatters

Also:

violates

?

breaks a rule or law

,

tears up

?

tears a document

📝 In Action

Ella siempre rompe las reglas de la casa.

A2

She always breaks the house rules.

El viento rompe las ramas más débiles de los árboles.

A1

The wind breaks the weakest branches of the trees.

Usted rompe el silencio con una pregunta difícil.

B1

You (formal) break the silence with a difficult question.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • quebrar (to break (often figurative or financial))
  • destrozar (to destroy/smash)

Antonyms

Common Collocations

  • romper el hielo – to break the ice (start a conversation)
  • romper la promesa – to break the promise

Idioms & Expressions

  • rompe y raja – speaking frankly and directly, without holding back

💡 Grammar Points

Third Person Action

'Rompe' is the form you use when the action is done by a single person ('he,' 'she') or thing ('it'), or when you are talking formally to one person ('usted').

❌ Common Pitfalls

Using 'rompe' for 'I break'

Mistake: "Yo rompe el vaso."

Correction: The correct form for 'I' is 'Yo rompo el vaso.' Remember the 'o' ending for 'yo' in the present tense.

⭐ Usage Tips

The Irregular Past

While 'romper' is regular in the present tense ('rompe'), its past participle is irregular: 'roto' (broken). You must use 'roto' with 'haber' (e.g., 'Ha roto la ventana').

A strong, determined hand with a pointed finger is shown hovering over a clear glass vase that is actively shattering into large, jagged pieces on a table.

The pointing hand gives the command: 'Break!' (¡Rompe!)

rompe(Verb (Command Form))

A2regular er

Break!

?

Direct command to 'tú'

Also:

Tear up!

?

Commanding someone to tear something

📝 In Action

¡Rompe ese papel que ya no sirve!

A2

Break up that paper, it's useless now!

Mamá, ¡rompe la piñata con más fuerza!

A1

Mom, break the piñata with more strength!

💡 Grammar Points

Affirmative Tú Command

For most regular -er and -ir verbs, the affirmative 'tú' command (telling a friend to do something) is the exact same form as the 'él/ella/usted' present tense form ('rompe').

❌ Common Pitfalls

Confusing Command and Statement

Mistake: "You must rely on context or exclamation marks to know if 'rompe' is a statement ('He breaks') or a command ('Break!')."

Correction: If you see '¡Rompe!', it's a command. If it's 'Él rompe...', it's a statement.

✏️ Quick Practice

💡 Quick Quiz: rompe

Question 1 of 2

Which sentence uses 'rompe' as a command?

📚 More Resources

Word Family

romper(to break) - verb
roto(broken) - adjective
la ruptura(the break/breakup) - noun

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between 'rompe' and 'rompo'?

'Rompe' means 'he/she/it breaks' or 'you (formal) break.' 'Rompo' means 'I break.' They are both forms of the same verb 'romper' but used with different people.

When is 'rompe' used as a command?

'Rompe' is the short, friendly command form used when you are telling someone you know well ('tú') to 'Break!' or 'Tear!' (e.g., ¡Rompe la cuerda!).