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"Tropezar" is an intransitive verb which is often translated as "to trip", and "toparse" is a pronominal verb which is often translated as "to run into". Learn more about the difference between "tropezar" and "toparse" below.
tropezar(
troh
-
peh
-
sahr
)An intransitive verb is one that does not require a direct object (e.g., The man sneezed.).
b. to stumble
Tropecé y caí en la piscina con toda la ropa puesta.I stumbled and fell into the pool with all of my clothes on.
tropezarse
A reciprocal verb is a verb that indicates that two or more subjects perform an action on each other (e.g., Ellos se abrazan.).
2. (to meet)
a. to run into
Siempre nos tropezamos en el supermercado.We always run into each other at the supermarket.
toparse(
toh
-
pahr
-
seh
)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.
topar
An intransitive verb is one that does not require a direct object (e.g., The man sneezed.).
4. (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.
5. (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.
8. (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.
