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"Break off" is a transitive verb phrase which is often translated as "partir", and "split up" is an intransitive verb phrase which is often translated as "separarse". Learn more about the difference between "break off" and "split up" below.
break off(
breyk
af
)A transitive verb phrase is a phrase that combines a verb with a preposition or other particle and requires a direct object (e.g., take out the trash.).
An intransitive verb phrase is a phrase that combines a verb with a preposition or other particle and does not require a direct object (e.g., Everybody please stand up.).
a. desprenderse
The cover to the record player broke off when I opened it.La tapa del tocadiscos se desprendió cuando lo abrí.
b. partirse
A piece of the glacier broke off and fell into the water.Una parte del glaciar se partió y cayó al agua.
4. (to stop)
a. interrumpirse (while speaking)
The teacher suddenly broke off and gave the two boys at the back of the class a dirty look.El maestro se interrumpió de repente y les lanzó una mirada fea a los dos chicos al fondo del aula.
split up(
spliht
uhp
)An intransitive verb phrase is a phrase that combines a verb with a preposition or other particle and does not require a direct object (e.g., Everybody please stand up.).
2. (to disband)
a. separarse
The band split up after their manager's death.El grupo se separó tras la muerte de su representante.
a. dispersarse (crowd)
The crowd split up after the concert ended.El público se dispersó cuando terminó el concierto.
b. dividirse
The members of the search party split up into pairs to cover more ground.Los miembros del pelotón de búsqueda se dividieron en parejas para cubrir más terreno.
A transitive verb phrase is a phrase that combines a verb with a preposition or other particle and requires a direct object (e.g., take out the trash.).
a. dividir
The teacher split the students up into teams of three.La maestra dividió a los alumnos en equipos de tres.
b. partir (portions)
Hugo split the baguette up into three pieces.Hugo partió la barra de pan en tres pedazos.
a. dividirse
My partner and I split up the business profits equally.My socio y yo nos dividimos las ganancias del negocio en partes iguales.
b. repartirse
The pirates split up the booty from the raid.Los piratas se repartieron el botín del asalto.
c. repartir
The landowners split up the land among the farmers.Los terratenientes repartieron las tierras entre los campesinos.
