Inklingo

How to Say "break" in Spanish

The most common Spanish word for “break” is “pausa” — use 'pausa' for any short, temporary stop in an activity, like a coffee break or a pause in a conversation..

pausa🔊A1

Use 'pausa' for any short, temporary stop in an activity, like a coffee break or a pause in a conversation.

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descanso🔊A1

Use 'descanso' when referring to a period of rest or relief from work or exertion.

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fractura🔊A2

Use 'fractura' specifically for a medical break or crack in a bone.

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ruptura🔊A2

Use 'ruptura' for a more general physical break or fracture, often implying a more severe damage than 'fractura' when referring to bones, or for relationships.

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parada🔊B1

Use 'parada' for a stop during a journey or trip, like a bus stop or a rest stop.

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respiro🔊B1

Use 'respiro' to indicate a brief pause or relief from something stressful or demanding, like a break from work stress.

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parte🔊B1

Use 'parte' as a verb in the imperative or subjunctive when instructing someone to cut or divide something.

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abra🔊B2

Use 'abra' to refer to a physical opening or gap, especially a mountain pass or a gap in a fence.

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quiebra🔊C1

Use 'quiebra' for a significant crack or fissure in a solid object like a wall or rock, often implying structural weakness.

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English → Spanish

pausa

/PAH-oo-sah//ˈpau̯.sa/

nounA1
Use 'pausa' for any short, temporary stop in an activity, like a coffee break or a pause in a conversation.
A high quality simple colorful storybook illustration showing a winding, continuous path that features a short, empty gap in the middle, symbolizing a momentary stop before the path continues.

Examples

Hagamos una pausa de diez minutos antes de seguir trabajando.

Let's take a ten-minute break before continuing work.

El locutor hizo una pausa larga para generar suspenso.

The announcer made a long pause to build suspense.

Voy a ponerle pausa a la película para ir al baño.

I'm going to put the movie on pause to go to the bathroom.

Gender Check

Remember that 'pausa' is always a feminine word, so you must use feminine articles and adjectives with it (e.g., 'una pausa corta' means 'a short break').

Using 'Pausa' as a Verb

Mistake: “Yo pausa (I pause)”

Correction: The verb form is 'pausar'. The most common way to express the action is using the phrase 'hacer una pausa' (to make a pause/take a break).

descanso

/des-CAN-so//desˈkanso/

nounA1
Use 'descanso' when referring to a period of rest or relief from work or exertion.
A person peacefully resting in a bright blue hammock strung between two palm trees.

Examples

Necesito un descanso después de caminar tanto.

I need a rest after walking so much.

El médico me ordenó descanso absoluto por dos días.

The doctor ordered me complete rest for two days.

¿Tomamos cinco minutos de descanso?

Shall we take a five-minute break?

Using the Verb Form

This noun comes from the verb 'descansar' (to rest). If you want to say 'I am resting,' use the verb: 'Estoy descansando' instead of trying to use the noun.

Confusing 'descanso' and 'sueño'

Mistake: “Using 'descanso' when you specifically mean 'sleep' (sueño/dormir).”

Correction: While rest is related to sleep, 'descanso' usually refers to a waking break or relaxation. Sleep itself is 'sueño'.

fractura

/frak-TOO-rah//fɾakˈtuɾa/

nounA2
Use 'fractura' specifically for a medical break or crack in a bone.
A colorful illustration of a human arm bone with a clean break in the middle.

Examples

El médico confirmó que el niño tiene una fractura en el brazo.

The doctor confirmed that the boy has a fracture in his arm.

Esta roca tiene una pequeña fractura por el frío.

This rock has a small crack because of the cold.

Gender of the word

This word is feminine. You should always use 'la' or 'una' with it, like 'la fractura'.

Fractura vs. Roto

Mistake: “Saying 'Tengo una fractura brazo'.”

Correction: Say 'Tengo una fractura en el brazo'. You need the word 'en' (in) to show where the break is located.

ruptura

roop-TOO-rah/rupˈtu.ɾa/

nounA2
Use 'ruptura' for a more general physical break or fracture, often implying a more severe damage than 'fractura' when referring to bones, or for relationships.
A high quality illustration of a brightly colored ceramic plate lying on a wooden table, clearly split into two distinct, separated pieces.

Examples

El doctor confirmó la ruptura del hueso.

The doctor confirmed the fracture of the bone.

Tuvimos que reparar la ruptura en la tubería de agua.

We had to repair the break in the water pipe.

Using 'rotura' vs 'ruptura'

Mistake: “Using 'rotura' for a relationship breakup.”

Correction: 'Rotura' is often preferred for simple physical breaks (like a broken glass), while 'ruptura' is used for bone fractures, ligament tears, and all figurative breaks (relationships, diplomacy, etc.).

parada

/pah-RAH-dah//paˈɾaða/

nounB1
Use 'parada' for a stop during a journey or trip, like a bus stop or a rest stop.
An illustration of a worker taking a break, sitting down and resting during a halt in activity.

Examples

Hagamos una parada para comer algo antes de seguir el camino.

Let's make a stop to eat something before continuing the journey.

El vuelo tiene una parada de tres horas en Madrid.

The flight has a three-hour layover in Madrid.

Common Verb Partner

The most frequent way to use this meaning is with the verb 'hacer' (to do/make): 'hacer una parada'.

respiro

ress-PEE-roh/resˈpiɾo/

nounB1
Use 'respiro' to indicate a brief pause or relief from something stressful or demanding, like a break from work stress.
A small cartoon bear relaxing against a tree in a forest clearing, happily drinking lemonade, representing a pause or break from activity.

Examples

Necesito un respiro de la rutina diaria.

I need a break from the daily routine.

La tormenta nos dio un respiro del calor sofocante.

The storm gave us a respite from the suffocating heat.

Tómate un respiro, has estado trabajando por horas.

Take a break, you've been working for hours.

Masculine Noun Rule

'Respiro' is always a masculine noun, so you must use 'el' or 'un' before it, like 'el respiro' or 'un respiro'.

parte

/PAR-teh//ˈpaɾte/

verbB1
Use 'parte' as a verb in the imperative or subjunctive when instructing someone to cut or divide something.
A hand using a knife to neatly slice a round cheese wheel into two perfect halves on a wooden board.

Examples

Parte el pastel en ocho trozos, por favor.

Cut the cake into eight pieces, please.

Es importante que usted parte de cero en este proyecto.

It's important that you start from scratch on this project.

No quiero que se parte la cuerda.

I don't want the rope to break.

A Form of the Verb 'partir'

This isn't a word on its own, but a form of the verb 'partir' (to cut, split, leave). You'll see 'parte' used as a command for 'tú' (you): '¡Parte el pan!' (Cut the bread!).

abra

/AH-brah//ˈa.βɾa/

nounB2
Use 'abra' to refer to a physical opening or gap, especially a mountain pass or a gap in a fence.
A visual representation of a geographical gap: two large green hills separated by a narrow, clear path or opening.

Examples

Tuvimos que cruzar la abra de la sierra para llegar al valle.

We had to cross the mountain pass to reach the valley.

La abra en la costa ofrecía un refugio natural para los barcos.

The inlet on the coast offered a natural shelter for the boats.

Gender Note

This noun is feminine: 'la abra'. Note that it does not follow the rule of using 'el' before feminine nouns that start with a stressed 'a' sound, because 'abra' is not stressed on the first syllable.

quiebra

/KYEH-brah//ˈkje.βɾa/

nounC1
Use 'quiebra' for a significant crack or fissure in a solid object like a wall or rock, often implying structural weakness.
A visible crack running through a smooth stone surface.

Examples

La quiebra en el muro permitía ver el otro lado.

The crack in the wall allowed us to see the other side.

Confusing 'Pausa' and 'Descanso'

Learners often confuse 'pausa' and 'descanso'. Use 'pausa' for a short, temporary stop during an activity (like a coffee break), while 'descanso' implies a longer period of rest or recovery from work or exertion.

Related Translations

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