estropear vs romper
2
votes
Could someboby explain the difference of the meaning of these verbs? Thank you in advance.
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updated Nov 18, 2011
posted by slonik
1 Answer
2
votes
Have you looked the words up?. They are only synonymous in certain contexts. How they differ is in the different contexts that they can mean. For example, estropear often has the meaning of "to ruin or spoil" [plans]. Romper does not have that meaning. Romper can mean to break out in... [romper a llorar..break into tears]. Estropear does not have that meaning.
You should qualify your question and ask what are the differences in nuances between estropear and romper when they are used synonymously. [in the same context]
updated Nov 18, 2011
edited by 0074b507
posted by 0074b507
Thank you, qfreed. Our teacher said what "estropear" means "to break down completely, to crash" and "romper" means softer damage. Is that correct? For instance could you tell me, if you know, what the difference between "estropear el coche" and "romper el - slonik, Nov 18, 2011
coche". - slonik, Nov 18, 2011
Good question. In this context I think it would be the difference between the car collapsing, being crashed and just suffing a minor mechanical failure, but I am not a native so you should wait for one. Sometimes it takes a while due to the differences - 0074b507, Nov 18, 2011
in time zones. - 0074b507, Nov 18, 2011
