rompecabezas
/rrom-peh-cah-BEH-sas/
jigsaw puzzle
The most common meaning of rompecabezas is a physical jigsaw puzzle made of interlocking pieces.
rompecabezas(noun)
jigsaw puzzle
?The physical toy made of interlocking pieces
puzzle
?General term for a puzzle
📝 In Action
Compré un rompecabezas de mil piezas para el fin de semana.
A1I bought a one-thousand-piece jigsaw puzzle for the weekend.
Armar rompecabezas es muy relajante para mí.
A2Putting together puzzles is very relaxing for me.
💡 Grammar Points
A Word That Stays the Same
This word is a special type of compound noun that does not change its form in the plural. You use 'el rompecabezas' for one, and 'los rompecabezas' for many.
❌ Common Pitfalls
Over-Pluralizing
Mistake: "Compré dos rompecabezases."
Correction: Compré dos rompecabezas. (The word itself already has the plural 'cabezas' inside it.)
⭐ Usage Tips
Use with 'Armar'
When talking about putting the pieces together, the most natural Spanish verb to use is 'armar' (to assemble).
Figuratively, rompecabezas can refer to a difficult or confusing problem, or a conundrum.
rompecabezas(noun)
conundrum
?Difficult or confusing problem
,enigma
?Mystery
riddle
?A verbal puzzle
,complex problem
?A tricky situation
📝 In Action
La crisis económica se ha convertido en un verdadero rompecabezas para los políticos.
B2The economic crisis has become a real conundrum for the politicians.
El detective intentó resolver el rompecabezas del crimen.
B1The detective tried to solve the riddle of the crime.
⭐ Usage Tips
Figurative Use
This meaning is figurative, comparing a difficult problem to the complexity of a physical puzzle. It's often used with abstract nouns like 'crisis,' 'situación,' or 'misterio.'
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: rompecabezas
Question 1 of 2
Which sentence correctly uses the plural form of 'rompecabezas'?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
Is 'rompecabezas' masculine or feminine?
It is always masculine, even though it ends in 's' and contains the feminine word 'cabeza.' You must use the masculine article: 'el rompecabezas' or 'los rompecabezas.'
Why is the plural the same as the singular?
Spanish nouns created by combining a verb and a plural noun (like 'rompe' + 'cabezas') do not change their form. The plural is indicated solely by the article or the number that comes before it.