Inklingo

How to Say "to split" in Spanish

English → Spanish

compartir

/kom-par-TEER//kom.paɾˈtiɾ/

verbA1
Use 'compartir' when you are sharing something with others, such as food, resources, or expenses like a bill.
Two friendly children sitting at a small table, happily dividing a brightly colored apple between them.

Examples

Yo siempre comparto mi almuerzo con mi hermana.

I always share my lunch with my sister.

¿Podemos compartir un taxi para ir al aeropuerto?

Can we share a taxi to go to the airport?

Ellos comparten un pequeño apartamento en el centro.

They share a small apartment downtown.

Direct Use

Unlike some Spanish verbs, 'compartir' is usually followed directly by the thing being shared (e.g., 'compartir la pizza').

Using 'con' incorrectly

Mistake: “Voy a compartir con el pastel. (I am going to share with the cake.)”

Correction: Voy a compartir el pastel. (I am going to share the cake.) Use 'con' only for the person you share *with*.

partir

/par-TEER//paɾˈtiɾ/

verbA1
Use 'partir' when you are physically dividing or breaking something into pieces, like cutting a cake or splitting wood.
A hand holding a knife cutting a single red apple exactly in half on a wooden cutting board.

Examples

Necesito partir el pastel en ocho rebanadas iguales.

I need to cut the cake into eight equal slices.

Partieron la leña para la chimenea antes de la cena.

They split the firewood for the fireplace before dinner.

Ellos partieron la herencia entre los tres hermanos.

They divided the inheritance among the three siblings.

Transitive Use

In this sense, 'partir' is transitive, meaning the action directly affects something. You must always say what you are dividing or splitting.

Sharing vs. Breaking

Learners often confuse 'compartir' and 'partir' by using 'partir' when they mean to share an expense or food. Remember, 'compartir' is for sharing or dividing costs, while 'partir' is for physically breaking or dividing an object into pieces.

Related Translations

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