How to Say "you break" in Spanish
The most common Spanish word for “you break” is “rompes” — use 'rompes' when you mean to physically break, tear, or shatter something into pieces. This is the most general term for breaking..
English → Spanish
verbA2general
Use 'rompes' when you mean to physically break, tear, or shatter something into pieces. This is the most general term for breaking.
Examples
Ten cuidado de no romper ese jarrón antiguo.
Be careful not to break that antique vase.
quiebras
verbB1general
Use 'quiebras' when you mean to break something, often implying a more forceful action or a more complete destruction, like breaking a bone or a financial record.
Examples
Si sigues saltando así, te quiebras una pierna.
If you keep jumping like that, you'll break a leg.
bates
verbA2general
Use 'bates' specifically when you mean to beat or surpass a record, like a sports record or a personal best.
Examples
Si bates el récord, te darán una medalla.
If you break the record, they will give you a medal.
verbA2general
Use 'partes' when you mean to divide or split something into parts or portions, essentially cutting or breaking it apart.
Examples
Tú siempre partes el pastel en porciones iguales.
You always cut the cake into equal portions.
Confusing 'romper'/'quebrar' with 'batir'/'partir'
The most common mistake is using 'rompes' or 'quiebras' when the context is about breaking a record ('bates') or dividing something ('partes'). Remember that 'romper' and 'quebrar' refer to physical breakage, while 'batir' is for records and 'partir' is for division.
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