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"Romper" is a transitive verb which is often translated as "to break", and "desgarrar" is a transitive verb which is often translated as "to tear". Learn more about the difference between "romper" and "desgarrar" below.
romper(
rrohm
-
pehr
)A transitive verb is a verb that requires a direct object (e.g., I bought a book.).
1. (to smash)
a. to wear out
Vas a romper el controlador de tanto usarlo.You're going to wear out the controller from using it so much.
3. (to disobey)
An intransitive verb is one that does not require a direct object (e.g., The man sneezed.).
a. to break
Las olas rompieron contra el casco de nuestro barco.The waves broke against the hull of our ship.
5. (to start)
a. to break out
Cuando el hombre cayó muerto, la multitud rompió a gritar.When the man dropped dead, the crowd started screaming.
a. to break up
Felipe y Sol rompieron después de tres años de noviazgo.Felipe and Sol broke up after going out for three years.
romperse
A reflexive verb is a verb that indicates that the subject performs an action on itself (e.g., Miguel se lava.).
7. (to injure)
a. to break
En su primer partido, el futbolista se rompió la pierna.In his first game, the soccer player broke his leg.
A pronominal verb always uses a reflexive pronoun. (e.g., Te ves cansado.).
8. (to smash)
a. to break
Creo que la radio se rompió porque solo oigo interferencias.I think the radio is broken because all I hear is this buzzing.
desgarrar(
dehs
-
gah
-
rrahr
)A transitive verb is a verb that requires a direct object (e.g., I bought a book.).
a. to tear
El gato desgarró la cortina de seda al subirla.The cat tore the silk curtain when he climbed up it.
2. (to upset)
a. to break
Me desgarra el corazón verlo sufrir por un amor no correspondido.It breaks my heart to see him suffering because of unrequited love.
3. (to expectorate) (Latin America)
Regionalism used in Latin America: all the countries in South America, Central America, and the Caribbean. Does not include Spain.
a. to cough up
Me resfrié y no paro de desgarrar flema.I caught a cold and I can't stop coughing up phlegm.
desgarrarse
A pronominal verb always uses a reflexive pronoun. (e.g., Te ves cansado.).
a. to tear
Messi se desgarró un ligamento y se perderá el próximo partido.Messi tore a ligament and will miss the next game.
