romper

Senses

1. 1.

   to break

   to cause something to separate into pieces or lose its structural integrity

2. 2.

   to tear

   to rip or split something into pieces, especially fabric or paper

3. 3.

   to break up (with)

   to end a romantic or personal relationship

4. 4.

   to break (a record, silence, habit)

   to interrupt or put an end to something ongoing

Examples

• "Se me rompió el teléfono cuando lo dejé caer."

  My phone broke when I dropped it.

• "María rompió con su novio el mes pasado."

  María broke up with her boyfriend last month.

• "Rompió el silencio con una pregunta importante."

  He broke the silence with an important question.

Usage

Romper is a high-frequency verb with irregular past participle (roto). The reflexive "romperse" emphasizes accidental breaking. In colloquial speech, "romper con alguien" always means to end a relationship, never just "to break something of someone's."