rompere

break

verb ROHM-peh-reh Less Common

Origin: from Latin rumpere

Also means

snap

Usage Note

Rompere stresses the first syllable and has the irregular past participle rotto. Colloquially rompere le scatole ('to break the boxes') means to annoy someone, and rompersi of a person means to get fed up.

Examples

"Ho rotto un bicchiere in cucina."

Natural Translation

I broke a glass in the kitchen.

Literal Translation

I-have broken a glass in kitchen.

Related Words

Explore Italian by topic

ItalianNow

Italian False Friends: 20 Words That Trick You

Italian false friends like preservativo, parenti, and caldo mean the opposite of what English speakers expect. Here are 20 ranked by how badly they bite.

June 5, 2026 6 min read

ItalianNow

Avere Fame: Why Italians "Have" Hunger, Not "Are"

In Italian you say Ho fame (I have hunger), never sono fame. Learn the avere + noun rule for fame, freddo, paura, age, and the sono caldo trap to avoid.

June 5, 2026 5 min read

ItalianNow

Italian Adjective Agreement & Placement Made Simple

Italian adjectives agree in gender and number and usually sit after the noun. Master the -o/-a/-i/-e endings, the BAGS rule, and meaning-shifting pairs.

June 5, 2026 5 min read

ItalianNow

Essential Italian Travel Phrases (With Vorrei)

Vorrei means I would like — the politest, most useful Italian travel phrase. Learn five reusable frames to order, ask prices, and find your way in Italy.

June 5, 2026 5 min read