Italian · Everyday Verbs
"to break" in Italian: rompere
rompere
To break in Italian is rompere. Present: rompo, rompi, rompe. Past participle rotto: ho rotto il bicchiere.
Kitchen accident
Ho rotto un piatto mentre lavavo.Speak with an AI partner · 7 days free
How to pronounce rompere
Say it
ROHM-peh-reh
/ˈrom.pe.re/
Rompere: ROHM-peh-reh. Rotto: ROHT-toh. Stress ROHM and ROHT.
"to break" in Italian: quick reference
| Italian | English | When to use |
|---|---|---|
| rompere | to break Infinitive. | Infinitive. |
| rompo / rompi / rompe | I/you/he-she break(s) Present. | Present. |
| ho rotto | I broke / I have broken Past with avere. | Past with avere. |
| si è rotto | it broke Object broke by itself. | Object broke by itself. |
How to use rompere in real life
- 1Kitchen accident
Ho rotto un piatto mentre lavavo.
I broke a plate while washing up.
Ho rotto.
- 2Kids playing
Non rompere quel giocattolo, per favore.
Don't break that toy, please.
Infinitive after non.
- 3Phone screen
Se cade, rompe facilmente.
If it falls, it breaks easily.
Rompe third person.
Mistakes English speakers make with rompere
Incorrect: Ho romputo il vaso.
Correct: Ho rotto il vaso.
Past participle is rotto, irregular.
Incorrect: Il bicchiere ha rotto.
Correct: Il bicchiere si è rotto. / Ho rotto il bicchiere.
Objects 'break themselves' with si è rotto, or you broke them with ho rotto.
Good to know
Ho rotto something is a normal apology in Italian kitchens—no drama required. For hearts and promises you may hear spezzare or infrangere, but everyday objects take rompere / rotto.
Try it in a ChatPal conversation
A glass slips while drying dishes
ChatPal
Tutto ok? Hai rotto qualcosa?
All ok? Did you break something?
You
Sì—ho rotto un bicchiere, scusa.
Yes—I broke a glass, sorry.
ChatPal
Non importa. Attento a non rompere anche il piatto.
No big deal. Careful not to break the plate too.
You
Ok, adesso vado piano.
Ok, now I'll go slow.
This is a sample. In ChatPal you have this conversation out loud and get feedback on what you say.
Practice this conversation in ChatPal"to break" in other languages
FAQ
Common questions about "to break" in Italian
Infinitive?
Rompere.
I broke it?
L'ho rotto / ho rotto…
It broke?
Si è rotto.
Past participle?
Rotto / rotta.
Learn a word, then use it out loud
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- Step 4: Use it in real scenarios
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