Ways to say it
| French | IPA |
|---|---|
| rompre | /ʁɔ̃pʁ/ |
| casser | /ka.se/ /kɑ.se/ |
The verb rompre is used to describe the act of ending a relationship or severing a bond. In a more neutral or common way, you can also use the reflexive phrase se séparer to describe a couple breaking up. If you want to express a break up in an informal context, the verb quitter, which means to leave or to quit, is often used.
Which one should you use?
While rompre is a formal or literary way to say 'to break up', the phrase se séparer is a very common and neutral way to describe a couple breaking up. In informal settings, quitter is a frequent choice.
How does it change in a sentence?
When you use rompre to indicate the specific person you are breaking up with, you must use the preposition avec (rompre avec [someone]).
How do you pronounce it?
/ʁɔ̃pʁ/
When do people say it?
The feminine noun rupture is the most common term in French to refer to a break up itself.
Did you know?
- The verb rompre can also be used in the phrase rompre les rangs, which means to break ranks in a military formation.
- The English word 'corrupt' shares a distant ancestor with rompre via the Latin root 'rumpere', meaning 'to break'.
- The word rupture is used in French to describe both a romantic breakup and a sudden break in a pipe or a structural failure. It carries a sense of violent or sudden disconnection in both contexts.
Examples in context
- Tu comptes rompre avec Tom ?Are you going to break up with Tom?This sentence shows how to use rompre to ask about breaking up with a specific person.Tatoeba #10005462 by gillux, translation #5851612 by CK
- Je pense que nous devrions rompre.I think we should break up.This sentence uses rompre to express a suggestion to end a relationship.Tatoeba #2398110 by sacredceltic, translation #2396130 by CK
- Vas-tu rompre avec moi si je redeviens gros ?Are you going to break up with me if I get fat again?This sentence uses rompre to ask about the consequences of breaking up with someone.Tatoeba #3961735 by sacredceltic, translation #3731225 by CM
- Je souhaite mettre fin à notre relation.I wish to end our relationship.
- Je pense qu'il est préférable que nous nous séparions.I think it's better for us to separate.
- Je veux qu'on se quitte.I want us to break up
- 3 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Nathan and Emma are discussing a friend's relationship problem.
- NathanEst-ce que Marc va rompre avec Julie ?Is Marc going to break up with Julie?
- EmmaOui, ils ne s'entendent plus du tout.Yes, they don't get along at all anymore.
- NathanC'est triste, ils étaient ensemble depuis longtemps.That's sad, they had been together for a long time.
- EmmaC'est mieux de rompre maintenant.It's better to break up now.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “break up” translations and entries rompre, casser, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries casser, rompre, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
