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How to Say "tear" in Spanish

English → Spanish

lágrima

nounA1general
Use 'lágrima' when referring to the salty liquid that comes from your eye when you cry.

Examples

Se le escapó una lágrima al ver la película.

A tear escaped her as she watched the movie.

agujero

ah-goo-HEH-roha.ɣuˈxe.ɾo

nounA2general
Use 'agujero' to describe a hole or rip, especially in clothing or fabric, but also for holes in walls or other surfaces.
A circular hole punched through a piece of smooth brown wooden surface, showing darkness inside.

Examples

Mi suéter tiene un agujero en la manga.

My sweater has a hole in the sleeve.

Hay un agujero enorme en la pared del sótano.

There is an enormous hole in the basement wall.

Necesito coser el agujero de mi calcetín antes de ponérmelo.

I need to sew the hole in my sock before putting it on.

Tuvimos que tapar el agujero para que no entraran los insectos.

We had to cover the opening so the insects wouldn't come in.

Masculine Noun

Even though 'agujero' ends in '-o', it follows the common rule that things (nouns) are male (masculine) in Spanish, so you always use 'el' or 'un' with it.

Confusing 'Agujero' and 'Hoyo'

Mistake: “Using 'agujero' when referring specifically to a deep, large hole in the ground.”

Correction: 'Hoyo' is usually better for pits or holes dug in the earth. 'Agujero' is generally used for holes *through* something (a wall, paper, cloth).

rotura

ro-TOO-rahroˈtuɾa

nounB1general
Use 'rotura' to refer to a break or rupture, particularly in a pipe, muscle, or sometimes a significant tear in fabric.
A colorful ceramic vase broken into several large pieces on a wooden floor.

Examples

La rotura de su menisco requirió cirugía.

The tear/rupture of his meniscus required surgery.

La rotura de la tubería causó una inundación en el sótano.

The pipe break caused a flood in the basement.

El deportista tiene una rotura de fibras en la pierna.

The athlete has a muscle tear in his leg.

No podemos vender este plato por la rotura del borde.

We can't sell this plate because of the crack on the rim.

Always Feminine

Even though it ends in 'a', it's good to remember that 'la rotura' is a naming word for a thing (a noun) and stays feminine regardless of what object broke.

Describing the Damage

Use 'de' after 'rotura' to name the object that is broken, like 'rotura de cristal' (glass break).

Rotura vs. Ruptura

Mistake: “La ruptura de la tubería.”

Correction: La rotura de la tubería. Use 'rotura' for physical objects and 'ruptura' for relationships or abstract ideas.

ruptura

roop-TOO-rahrupˈtu.ɾa

nounA2formal
Use 'ruptura' for a more formal or medical term for a break or tear, commonly used for muscles, bones, or other internal tissues.
A high quality illustration of a brightly colored ceramic plate lying on a wooden table, clearly split into two distinct, separated pieces.

Examples

Sufrió una ruptura de ligamentos jugando al fútbol.

He suffered a ligament tear/rupture playing soccer.

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.).

Hole vs. Rip vs. Cry

The most common mistake is confusing 'agujero' (a hole) with 'rotura' or 'ruptura' (a rip or break). Remember that 'agujero' is for a gap or opening, while 'rotura'/'ruptura' imply something has been broken or torn apart. 'Lágrima' is exclusively for tears from the eye.

Related Translations

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