Today write sentences with "break off"

Question

Hello everyone. I think phrasal verbs are some of the most difficult to many English learners because most of them do not have a literal translation. So I have decided to learn one or two phrasal verbs every day. And I know you can help me with that, but you also need to learn Spanish, so please write the sentence in English using the PV then try it in Spanish. Then I will correct your sentence (the Spanish sentence, of course); we will help each other out. Today write sentences with "break off".

To break off (tr. / intr.): Separar un trozo de algo (detach) (twig, handle).

A big branch broke off and fell onto the car .

Una gran rama cayó sobre el auto.

To break off (tr.): Romper un compromiso / unas negociaciones (terminate) (relations, engagement).

My company broke off its agreement with the local authorities .

Mi compañía rompió su acuerdo con las autoridades locales.

To break off (intr.): Parar de repente de hablar(stop talking).

He was talking to us about his trip but suddenly broke off without any reason .

Él estaba hablándonos sobre su viaje,pero de repente dejó de hablar sin ninguna razón.

I have never heard the "stop talking" version of "break off". What country uses that_ - missy8888, May 28, 2012

Yes, we can break off a conversation, in England, anyway. Or break up. - annierats, May 28, 2012

nice idea Luis :) - Kiwi-Girl, May 29, 2012

Thanks Kiwi :) - luisssito, May 29, 2012

Well done young feller , good thinking and a great effort , top marks for having the courage to " give it a go " you will never die wanting , nor will the grass grow under your feet. - ray76, May 29, 2012

The union movement in OZ uses to break off talking or discussions , or dialogue , continually. - ray76, May 29, 2012

Thanks a lot Ray - luisssito, May 29, 2012

@ Missy - kiwi's use 'break off' when speaking of conversation so I'm guessing that English people do too as we speak British English here - Kiwi-Girl, May 29, 2012

Answer 1

Can you break me off a piece of that Kit Kat bar?

---

Me puedes quebrar un pedacito de esta Kit Kat barra?

Hi Mariana :) - luisssito, May 28, 2012

Answer 2

Qué triste, tuvimos a romper nuestro compromiso,

en el lugar donde nos conocimos por primera vez,

a la playa a salir el sol , ¡ qué triste !

          ------

How sad, we had to break off our engagement,

at the place that we met for the first time,

on the beach at the break of day, how sad !

I incorporated ,break off , and break of . I doubt the Spanish will work though. - ray76, May 29, 2012

Hola Ray, ¿qué tal? - Kiwi-Girl, May 29, 2012

Buenas día guapita , que pasa aye. You have not been around lately , I suffering Kiwi withdrawal symptoms , I need my ego massaged by that drop dead gorgeous Kiwi bro. - ray76, May 29, 2012

Very nice!Qué triste,tuvimos que romper nuestro compromiso,en el lugar donde nos conocimos por primera vez.(remember to meet has mainly two meanings "conocer"when you know someone for the first time,and "reunir"when you have already met to that person) - luisssito, May 29, 2012

ja ja still as much a dag as ever :) Yeah I've been busy making English and Spanish lessons over at my webpage - Kiwi-Girl, May 29, 2012

Example:Tomorrow I have to meet with my friends to do our homework:Mañana ,tengo que "reunirme" con mis amigos para hacer nuestro trabajo. - luisssito, May 29, 2012

Now the last part:En la playa,en la aurora(at the break of day,it means when it`s dawing ,right?if so,the translation is correct)qué triste! - luisssito, May 29, 2012

Thank you luisito , I figured that I was talking of a time that we did know each other , but of course we did not , so thank you for that , and i missed out donde when i copied from my long hand . - ray76, May 29, 2012

Yes it does mean at dawning , just as the sun "breaks through"Thanks . - ray76, May 29, 2012

I have seen your webpage it is fantastic Kiwi, you are a clever little chica aren't you - ray76, May 29, 2012

Answer 3

La rama se tronchó por el peso de las manzanas.

Edit - gracias a Luis - La rama se quebró debida al peso de las manzanas.

The branch broke off (snapped?) because of the weight of the apples.

Well done Kiwi ,just a small comment.La rama se quebró("tronchó" is not very common to say,however it is commonly used to people )debido al peso de las manzanas . - luisssito, May 29, 2012

salvajes, ok mil gracias :) - Kiwi-Girl, May 29, 2012

(however it is commonly used 'for' people - this is how you would say it if you mean 'it is commonly used 'to refer to' people) :) - Kiwi-Girl, May 29, 2012

Thanks a lot :) - luisssito, May 29, 2012

Answer 4

I hate to break off the conversation, but I've got to work now.

Odio parar la conversación pero ya debo que trabajar.

Well done, Katy :) - luisssito, May 28, 2012

Answer 5

It was very hard to break off our engagement.

Fue muy duro para romper el compromiso.

Hi Rac :) ....duro romper...(literally:Fue muy duro romper nuestro compromiso,it sounds ok) - luisssito, May 28, 2012

Answer 6

break off can mean to separate or become separated, as by twisting or tearing.

Muchos excursionistas se han desprendido un trozo de tejido de un gran pañuelo para proteger una herida.

Many hikers have broken off a strip of cloth from a bandana to protect a wound.

Answer 7

Luis rompió su compromiso con María porque ella no podía cocinar para nada.

Luis broke of his engagement with Maria because she couldn't cook for nuts.

je je 'for nuts' is an idiom meaning 'not at all' - Kiwi-Girl, May 29, 2012

Luis rompió su compromiso con María porque ella no podía cocinar ......(I`m not sure if "for nuts" means para nada ,because nuts mean nueces,I think) - luisssito, May 29, 2012

Ohh I didn´t know it ,I need to practice that idiom meaning "for nuts" .Thanks Kiwi. - luisssito, May 29, 2012

You're welcome :) http://idioms.thefreedictionary.com/can't+for+nuts - Kiwi-Girl, May 29, 2012