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"Toparme" is a form of "topar", an intransitive verb which is often translated as "to run into". "Cruzar" is a transitive verb which is often translated as "to cross". Learn more about the difference between "toparme" and "cruzar" below.
topar(
toh
-
pahr
)An intransitive verb is one that does not require a direct object (e.g., The man sneezed.).
1. (to reach)
a. to run into
Si giras a la derecha en la siguiente calle, vas a topar con el cine.If you turn right on the next street you will run into the theater.
b. to come to
Sigue por esta calle hasta topar con pared.Follow this street until you come to a wall.
2. (to consist)
a. to lie
El problema topa en el incumplimiento de la ley.The problem lies in the failure to comply with the law.
A transitive verb is a verb that requires a direct object (e.g., I bought a book.).
a. to bump into
Topé a la maestra de inglés en la playa.I bumped into the English teacher at the beach.
b. to run into
Topamos a unas personas del lugar y les preguntamos por un buen restaurante.We ran into some local people and asked them to recommend a good restaurant.
5. (to take a bet) (Latin America)
Regionalism used in Latin America: all the countries in South America, Central America, and the Caribbean. Does not include Spain.
toparse
A pronominal verb always uses a reflexive pronoun. (e.g., Te ves cansado.).
b. to bump into
Espero toparme con algún famoso en Nueva York.I hope I'll bump into someone famous in New York.
a. to come across
Cuando regresamos al país nos topamos con problemas económicos.We came across economic problems when we came back to the country.
b. to come up against
Nada más empezar nos topamos con la primera dificultad.As soon as we started we came up against the first problem.
A reciprocal verb is a verb that indicates that two or more subjects perform an action on each other (e.g., Ellos se abrazan.).
a. to run into each other
A menudo nos topamos afuera de la escuela.We often run into each other outside of school.
b. to bump into each other
María y yo nos topamos en el ascensor.María and I bumped into each other in the elevator.
cruzar(
kroo
-
sahr
)A transitive verb is a verb that requires a direct object (e.g., I bought a book.).
b. to go across
Roberto cruzó el puente para entrar al pueblo.Roberto went across the bridge to enter the town.
a. to exchange
Desde que se separaron, ya no cruzan palabras al encontrarse.Since they broke up, they don't exchange any words when they meet.
a. to cross
Los granjeros cruzaron una yegua con un burro para conseguir una mula.The farmers crossed a mare with a donkey to get a mule.
a. to cross out
Cruza esta palabra que escribiste dos veces.Cross out this word that you wrote twice.
a. to cross
Steven cruzó el cheque para poder depositarlo.Steven crossed the cheque in order to be able to deposit it.
An intransitive verb is one that does not require a direct object (e.g., The man sneezed.).
cruzarse
A reciprocal verb is a verb that indicates that two or more subjects perform an action on each other (e.g., Ellos se abrazan.).
a. to cross
La avenida Lázaro Cárdenas y el anillo periférico se cruzan en el sur.Lazaro Cardenas Avenue and the beltway cross in the south.
b. to intersect
Como estas líneas son paralelas, nunca se cruzan.Since these lines are parallel, they never intersect.
c. to meet
La avenida Hidalgo se cruza con Federalismo a cinco kilómetros al norte.Hidalgo Avenue meets Federalismo five kilometers to the north.
10. (to move past)
a. to pass
Enrique se cruzó con su papá en el estacionamiento sin darse cuenta.Enrique passed his dad in the parking lot without noticing.
b. to pass each other
Un crucero que iba saliendo se cruzó con uno que venía llegando.A cruise ship on its way out and another on its way in passed each other.
a. to see each other
Las compañeras se cruzaron en el supermercado pero no tuvieron tiempo de platicar.The coworkers saw each other in the supermarket, but they didn't have time to talk.
b. to bump into
Me crucé con Rebeca en el metro esta mañana rumbo al trabajo.I bumped into Rebeca in the subway this morning on my way to work.
A pronominal verb always uses a reflexive pronoun. (e.g., Te ves cansado.).
12. (to obstruct)
a. to pull out in front of
Cuando sacaba el carro de la cochera, se me cruzó un niño en patineta.As I was backing the car out of the garage, a boy on a skateboard pulled out in front of me.
b. to cut off
Se me cruzó un Hummer y casi le pegué por atrás.A Hummer cut me off and I almost rear-ended it.
