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violar

bee-oh-LAHRbjoˈlaɾ

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

to break

Also: to violate, to infringe
VerbB2regular ar
A person's legs stepping over a low wooden fence next to a red circle symbol with a white bar.
gerundviolando
past Participleviolado
infinitiveviolar

📝 In Action

La empresa violó el contrato de exclusividad.

B2

The company broke the exclusivity contract.

Nadie tiene derecho a violar tu privacidad.

B1

Nobody has the right to violate your privacy.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • incumplir (to fail to fulfill)
  • quebrantar (to break (a law))

Antonyms

Common Collocations

  • violar la ley – to break the law
  • violar un acuerdo – to violate an agreement

to rape

VerbC1regular ar
A heavy metal padlock that has been snapped open and lies on the ground next to a closed wooden door.
gerundviolando
past Participleviolado
infinitiveviolar

📝 In Action

El agresor fue condenado por violar a la víctima.

C1

The attacker was convicted for raping the victim.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • abusar sexualmente (to sexually abuse)

Subjunctive

Imperfect Subjunctive

yoviolara
túviolaras
él/ella/ustedviolara
nosotrosvioláramos
vosotrosviolarais
ellos/ellas/ustedesviolaran

Present Subjunctive

yoviole
túvioles
él/ella/ustedviole
nosotrosviolemos
vosotrosvioléis
ellos/ellas/ustedesviolen

Indicative

Preterite

yoviolé
túviolaste
él/ella/ustedvioló
nosotrosviolamos
vosotrosviolasteis
ellos/ellas/ustedesviolaron

Imperfect

yoviolaba
túviolabas
él/ella/ustedviolaba
nosotrosviolábamos
vosotrosviolabais
ellos/ellas/ustedesviolaban

Present

yoviolo
túviolas
él/ella/ustedviola
nosotrosviolamos
vosotrosvioláis
ellos/ellas/ustedesviolan
View All Tenses & Moods →

Translate to Spanish

Words that translate to "violar" in Spanish:

to break→to infringe→to rape→to violate→

✏️ Quick Practice

Quick Quiz: violar

Question 1 of 1

Which sentence correctly uses 'violar' to mean breaking a rule?

📚 More Resources

👥 Word Family▼
violación(violation / rape) — Noun
violador(violator / rapist) — Noun
violable(breakable / violable) — Adjective
🎵 Rhymes▼
📚 Etymology▼

From the Latin word 'violare', which means to treat with violence or to dishonor.

First recorded: 13th century

Cognates (Related words)

English: violateFrench: violer

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Frequently Asked Questions

Does 'violar' always mean something sexual?

No. While it can mean rape, it is very frequently used in legal and formal contexts to mean breaking a law, a contract, or someone's privacy.

What is the difference between 'romper' and 'violar'?

Use 'romper' for physical objects like a plate. Use 'violar' for abstract things like laws, rights, or treaties.