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"Romper" is a transitive verb which is often translated as "to break", and "querer" is a transitive verb which is often translated as "to want". Learn more about the difference between "romper" and "querer" below.
romper(
rrohm
-
pehr
)
A transitive verb is a verb that requires a direct object (e.g., I bought a book.).
transitive verb
a. to break
Rompió el vaso por accidente.He broke the glass by accident.
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.
a. to break
Mi padre no es de los que rompen las reglas.My father's not one to break the rules.
An intransitive verb is one that does not require a direct object (e.g., The man sneezed.).
intransitive verb
a. to break
Las olas rompieron contra el casco de nuestro barco.The waves broke against the hull of our ship.
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.).
reflexive verb
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.).
pronominal verb
a. to break
El vaso se rompió en pedazos.The glass broke into pieces.
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.
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querer(
keh
-
rehr
)
A transitive verb is a verb that requires a direct object (e.g., I bought a book.).
transitive verb
a. to want
Quiero comer chocolate.I want to eat chocolate.
a. to love
Ella todavía te quiere profundamente.She still loves you deeply.
b. to like
El perro te quiere mucho.The dog likes you a lot.
c. to be fond of
Quiero mucho a mis estudiantes.I am very fond of my students.
a. to mean
No sé si quisiste ofenderme, pero lo lograste.I don't know if you meant to offend me, but you did.
b. to try
Hace años que quiero ir a París, pero es demasiado caro.I've been trying to go to Paris for years, but it's too expensive.
A masculine noun is used with masculine articles and adjectives (e.g., el hombre guapo, el sol amarillo).
masculine noun
a. beloved
Llora por el hombre que fue su querer.She cries for the man that was her beloved.
b. love
El primer querer siempre es el más fuerte.First love is always the deepest.
a. love affair
Cuando salió a relucir su querer, el gobernador renunció.When his love affair was exposed, the governor resigned.
An intransitive verb is one that does not require a direct object (e.g., The man sneezed.).
intransitive verb
a. to want
Estaré en casa todo el fin de semana así que llama cuando quieras.I'll be home all weekend so call when you want.
quererse
A reciprocal verb is a verb that indicates that two or more subjects perform an action on each other (e.g., Ellos se abrazan.).
reciprocal verb
a. to love each other
Dejaron de quererse.They no longer love each other.
A reflexive verb is a verb that indicates that the subject performs an action on itself (e.g., Miguel se lava.).
reflexive verb
a. to love oneself
Necesitas empezar a quererte más.You need to learn to love yourself more.
Copyright © 2025 Dictionary Media Group, Inc.