Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA |
|---|---|
| irrumpir | /irumˈpiɾ/ |
| violentar | /bjolenˈtaɾ/ |
| descerrajar | /desθeraˈxaɾ/ /deseraˈxaɾ/ |
The term 'break in' generally refers to entering a place by force or illicitly. To describe the common act of breaking into a building or property, you can use the phrase entrar a la fuerza. If you want to describe sneaking into a property, you can use colarse en una propiedad. When specifically describing entering a house by force, you may say entrar por la fuerza a la casa.
Which one should you use?
The choice of word depends on the nature of the entry. Use irrumpir when describing a sudden, forceful or dramatic entry, which is common in news reports or when describing police actions. Use descerrajar if the entry specifically involves forcing open a bolt, latch or lock. The verb violentar also relates to the concept of force.
How does it change in a sentence?
When you want to specify the location being broken into using the verb irrumpir, it is typically followed by the preposition en (e.g., irrumpir en…). The verb entrar conjugates as entra, entró and entrarán.
How do you pronounce it?
/irumˈpiɾ/
Did you know?
- The term colarse for sneaking into a place comes from the word colador, which is a strainer or colander.
- The word irrumpir has a direct English relative in the rare English word 'irrupt'. Both share the same Latin root 'irrumpere', which means 'to break into'.
- In Spanish, the verb violentar can be used to describe breaking in, but it is more broadly used to describe any act of forcing someone's will or using violence.
Examples in context
- Alguien estaba intentando irrumpir.Somebody was trying to break in.This sentence is useful for practicing the use of irrumpir.Tatoeba #10168076 by manufrutos, translation #10165318 by CK
- Reportaron un intento de entrar por la fuerza a la propiedad.(They reported an attempt to break into the property.)
- El delincuente intentó forzar la entrada a la vivienda.(The criminal tried to break into the house.)
- No es recomendable violentar el acceso a propiedades privadas.(It is not advisable to break into private properties.)
- ¿Alguien se metió en tu casa mientras estabas de vacaciones?(Did someone break into your house while you were on vacation?)
- No puedo creer que alguien haya entrado sin permiso a tu oficina.(I can't believe someone broke into your office without permission.)
- Los ladrones intentaron irrumpir en la tienda.The thieves tried to break in to the shop.
- Es peligroso irrumpir en propiedades ajenas.It is dangerous to break into other people's properties.
Example conversation
Lucía and Alejandro are talking about a security alarm.
- LucíaAlejandro, ¿por qué suena la alarma?Alejandro, why is the alarm going off?
- AlejandroParece que alguien quiere irrumpir en el garaje.It looks like someone wants to break into the garage.
- Lucía¡Llama a la policía inmediatamente!Call the police immediately!
- AlejandroSí, ya estoy marcando el número.Yes, I am dialing the number now.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “break in” translations and entries irrumpir, violentar, descerrajar, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries descerrajar, irrumpir, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
