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How to Say "breaks" in Spanish

English → Spanish

rompe

Rohm-peh/ˈrompe/

Verb (Conjugation)A1General
Use 'rompe' when referring to the third-person singular present tense of the verb 'romper' (to break), often used for physical objects or abstract concepts like rules.
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.

Examples

Ella siempre rompe las reglas de la casa.

She always breaks the house rules.

El viento rompe las ramas más débiles de los árboles.

The wind breaks the weakest branches of the trees.

Usted rompe el silencio con una pregunta difícil.

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

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').

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.

oportunidades

oh-poor-too-nee-DAH-des/o.por.tu.niˈða.ðes/

nounA1General
Use 'oportunidades' to translate 'breaks' when referring to favorable chances, possibilities, or lucky moments, especially in a professional or life context.
A single, large, ornate wooden door stands open in the middle of a grassy field. Bright sunlight streams through the doorway, revealing a vibrant, lush landscape on the other side, symbolizing a new possibility.

Examples

Hay muchas oportunidades de trabajo en esta ciudad.

There are many job opportunities in this city.

Debes aprovechar todas las oportunidades que la vida te da.

You should take advantage of all the opportunities that life gives you.

Las nuevas tecnologías ofrecen grandes oportunidades para el aprendizaje.

New technologies offer great opportunities for learning.

Feminine Plural

Since the base word 'oportunidad' ends in -d, it is feminine. When you make it plural, it becomes 'oportunidades' and requires feminine plural words before it, like 'las' or 'muchas'.

Using 'Aprovechar'

The most common verb used with this word is 'aprovechar' (to take advantage of/seize). You often say 'aprovechar las oportunidades'.

Gender Error

Mistake: “Los oportunidades”

Correction: Las oportunidades. Remember that words ending in -dad, -tad, -tud, and -ción are almost always feminine in Spanish, even if they end in 'd'.

quiebra

/KYEH-brah//ˈkje.βɾa/

verbB1General
Use 'quiebra' to describe the act of something physical, like glass or a bone, breaking or shattering.
A hand holding a wooden stick that is snapping in the middle.

Examples

Ese cristal se quiebra fácilmente.

That glass breaks easily.

Ella nunca quiebra sus promesas.

She never breaks her promises.

The 'e' to 'ie' swap

The 'e' in the middle of 'quebrar' turns into 'ie' whenever that part of the word is emphasized while speaking (like in 'quiebra' or 'quiebro').

Breaking Rules vs. Breaking Objects

A common mistake is using 'quiebra' for breaking rules. Remember that 'rompe' (or its conjugation) is used for violating rules or figurative breaking, while 'quiebra' typically refers to the physical act of something breaking or shattering.

Related Translations

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