Inklingo

How to Say "to split" in Spanish

The most common Spanish word for “to split” is “dividir” — use this word when sharing something among people or separating it into distinct parts, like portions of food or groups.

dividir🔊A1

Use this word when sharing something among people or separating it into distinct parts, like portions of food or groups.

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partir🔊A1

Choose this verb when breaking something into pieces cleanly, especially food items that are often cut into slices or portions.

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compartir🔊A1

Use this word primarily when talking about sharing a cost, a bill, or an item with someone else.

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rajar🔊B1

This verb is used for splitting hard materials like wood or stone, often implying a forceful division.

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fracturar🔊C1

Use this when referring to the division or splintering of larger entities like political parties or groups, often due to disagreement.

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clivar🔊C1

This specific term is used in technical contexts, like gem cutting or metallurgy, to describe dividing something along a natural line of weakness.

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English → Spanish

dividir

dee-vee-DEERdiβiˈðiɾ

verbA1general
Use this word when sharing something among people or separating it into distinct parts, like portions of food or groups.
A whole red apple cut into two clean halves on a wooden table.

Examples

Dividimos la pizza en ocho trozos.

We are dividing the pizza into eight slices.

El río divide la ciudad en dos partes.

The river separates the city into two parts.

Tenemos que dividir los gastos del viaje.

We have to split the travel expenses.

Using 'en' for parts

When you say what you are dividing something into, always use 'en'. For example: 'Dividir en partes' (Divide into parts).

A perfectly regular -ir verb

This verb follows the standard pattern for verbs ending in -ir. If you know how to conjugate 'vivir', you already know 'dividir'!

Divide 'into' vs Divide 'en'

Mistake: “Dividir a dos partes.”

Correction: Dividir en dos partes. In Spanish, we use 'en' to show the result of the division, not 'a'.

partir

par-TEERpaɾˈtiɾ

verbA1general
Choose this verb when breaking something into pieces cleanly, especially food items that are often cut into slices or portions.
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.

compartir

kom-par-TEERkom.paɾˈtiɾ

verbA1general
Use this word primarily when talking about sharing a cost, a bill, or an item with someone else.
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*.

rajar

rah-HARra'xaɾ

verbB1general
This verb is used for splitting hard materials like wood or stone, often implying a forceful division.
A thick wooden log being split down the middle with a large metal wedge.

Examples

Tuvimos que rajar la leña para la chimenea.

We had to split the firewood for the fireplace.

El frío intenso rajó la superficie del suelo.

The intense cold cracked the surface of the ground.

Raja la sandía por la mitad, por favor.

Slice the watermelon in half, please.

A regular verb

This verb follows the standard pattern for verbs ending in -ar. No surprise stem changes here!

Physical Action

When used physically, it usually describes an action where a solid object gets a long, thin opening or break.

Rajar vs. Rayar

Mistake: “Using 'rajar' when you mean to scratch something.”

Correction: Use 'rayar' for surface scratches (like on a car) and 'rajar' when the object actually cracks or splits open.

fracturar

frahk-too-RAHRfɾaktuˈɾaɾ

verbC1general
Use this when referring to the division or splintering of larger entities like political parties or groups, often due to disagreement.
A single wooden plank splitting into many small, sharp pieces.

Examples

El escándalo terminó por fracturar al partido político.

The scandal ended up splintering the political party.

La guerra civil fracturó la sociedad durante décadas.

The civil war fractured society for decades.

Abstract Subjects

When used figuratively, the thing doing the 'fracturing' is often an idea or event (e.g., 'The crisis fractured...'). The structure remains a normal active sentence.

clivar

klee-BARkliˈβaɾ

verbC1technical
This specific term is used in technical contexts, like gem cutting or metallurgy, to describe dividing something along a natural line of weakness.
A colorful crystal being split into two smooth, flat pieces by a small wooden mallet and a thin chisel.

Examples

El tallador de gemas debe clivar el diamante con precisión extrema.

The gem cutter must cleave the diamond with extreme precision.

Esta enzima se encarga de clivar las proteínas en pedazos más pequeños.

This enzyme is responsible for splitting the proteins into smaller pieces.

Es posible clivar ciertos minerales siguiendo sus planos naturales.

It is possible to cleave certain minerals following their natural planes.

A Regular Pattern

Even though it's a fancy word, it follows the exact same pattern as the word 'hablar' (to speak). No surprises in the endings!

Technical Usage

This word isn't for everyday 'splitting.' If you are splitting an apple or a bill at a restaurant, use 'partir' or 'dividir' instead.

Clivar vs. Clavar

Mistake: “Using 'clivar' when you mean to hammer a nail.”

Correction: Use 'clavar' for nails/driving things in. 'Clivar' is only for scientific splitting.

Dividir vs. Partir

Learners often confuse 'dividir' and 'partir'. Remember that 'dividir' is broader, often implying sharing among people or separating into portions, while 'partir' focuses on the clean act of cutting something into pieces, like a cake.

Related Translations

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