rompí
/rrohm-PEE/
I broke
Depicting physical destruction: I broke (the plate).
rompí(Verb)
I broke
?physical destruction
,I tore
?paper, fabric
I smashed
?glass, ceramics
📝 In Action
Accidentalmente rompí la ventana con la pelota.
A2I accidentally broke the window with the ball.
Rompí el papel en pedacitos porque no me gustó el dibujo.
A1I tore the paper into little pieces because I didn't like the drawing.
Cuando me caí, rompí mi reloj favorito.
A2When I fell, I broke my favorite watch.
💡 Grammar Points
The Past Tense (Preterite)
This form, 'rompí,' tells you that I completed the action of breaking at a specific time in the past. It’s a finished action, like 'I broke it yesterday.'
❌ Common Pitfalls
Using the wrong past participle
Mistake: "He roto el vaso."
Correction: He roto el vaso. (Wait! This is correct, but remember the past participle 'roto' is irregular, not 'rompido'!)
⭐ Usage Tips
Using 'Se' for Accidents
To sound less guilty, use the passive 'se': 'Se me rompió el plato' (The plate broke on me), instead of 'Yo rompí el plato' (I broke the plate).
Depicting violating an agreement or law: I broke (the rule).
rompí(Verb)
I broke
?a rule or promise
,I violated
?an agreement
I interrupted
?silence or routine
📝 In Action
Rompí mi promesa de no comer chocolate durante la semana.
B1I broke my promise not to eat chocolate during the week.
Todos estábamos callados hasta que rompí el silencio para preguntar algo.
B2We were all quiet until I broke the silence to ask something.
💡 Grammar Points
Abstract Use
When 'romper' is used with abstract concepts like rules or habits, it still means 'to interrupt' or 'to violate.' The grammar is the same as breaking a physical object.
Depicting the end of a relationship: I broke up (with them).
📝 In Action
Finalmente rompí con mi pareja porque ya no éramos felices.
B2I finally broke up with my partner because we weren't happy anymore.
Rompí con esa empresa y busqué un nuevo proveedor.
C1I broke ties with that company and looked for a new supplier.
💡 Grammar Points
The 'Con' Requirement
When you mean 'to break up with someone,' you must always use the preposition 'con': 'rompí con mi novio' (I broke up with my boyfriend).
❌ Common Pitfalls
Forgetting 'con'
Mistake: "Rompí mi novio."
Correction: Rompí con mi novio. (Without 'con,' it sounds like you physically broke your boyfriend!)
🔄 Conjugations
indicative
present
imperfect
preterite
subjunctive
present
imperfect
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: rompí
Question 1 of 2
Which sentence correctly uses 'rompí' to mean 'I ended a relationship'?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
Is 'rompí' regular or irregular?
'Rompí' itself is formed regularly in the Preterite tense (the 'I' form is standard for -ER verbs). However, the overall verb 'romper' is considered irregular because its past participle, used in compound tenses, is 'roto' (not 'rompido').
How do I say 'I was breaking' instead of 'I broke'?
You would use the Imperfect tense, which describes ongoing or habitual past actions. The form is 'yo rompía'.