lasciarsi
/laʃˈʃar.si/
To break up in Italian is lasciarsi. Wiktionary also lists rompere and terminare.
Meaning: to end a relationship (verb)
Ways to say it
| Italian | IPA |
|---|---|
| lasciarsi | /laʃˈʃar.si/ |
| rompere | /ˈrom.pe.re/ |
| terminare | /ter.miˈna.re/ |
| separarsi | /se.paˈrar.si/ |
When using rompere to describe a relationship, it is almost always followed by the preposition con (with).
What does it mean word for word?
The reflexive verb lasciarsi literally means 'to leave each other'.
Which one should you use?
Use lasciarsi when you want to emphasize the mutual act of a couple parting ways. In contrast, separarsi is used to mean 'to separate' and is typically used in the context of legal or marital separation.
How does it change in a sentence?
The verb rompere requires the preposition con when used in the context of breaking up with someone. The form lasciarsi is a reflexive verb.
How do you pronounce it?
The word lasciarsi has three syllables and the stress is on the second syllable: /laʃˈʃar.si/.
Did you know?
- The verb rompere is used in the common idiom rompere le scatole, which literally means 'to break the boxes' but actually means 'to annoy someone'.
- If a relationship ends because of boredom or a lack of passion, an Italian might say they 'lost the spark', but they often use the expression si sono persi, meaning 'they lost each other'.
- The verb rompere shares a common ancestor with the English word 'rupture', both descending from the Latin 'rumpere'.
Examples in context
- Vuole rompere con lei.He wants to break up with her.This sentence uses rompere to express a desire to break up with a woman.Tatoeba #10305359 by Guybrush88, translation #8531644 by CH
- Dovrei rompere con lei?Should I break up with her?This sentence uses rompere to ask a question about breaking up with a woman.Tatoeba #4778880 by Guybrush88, translation #4778874 by DarkHollow
- Voleva rompere con lui.She wanted to break up with him.This sentence uses rompere to express a past desire to break up with a man.Tatoeba #4886504 by Guybrush88, translation #4515596 by Amastan
- Ho deciso di terminare la nostra relazioneI have decided to end our relationship
- Ci siamo separatiWe have broken up
- Abbiamo smesso di stare insiemeWe have stopped seeing each other
- Ho lasciato il mio ragazzoI broke up with my boyfriend
- Mi ha mollatoHe/she dumped me
- 4 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Martina and Francesco are discussing a mutual friend's relationship.
- MartinaHai sentito che Marco e Giulia hanno deciso di lasciarsi?Did you hear that Marco and Giulia decided to break up?
- FrancescoDavvero? Non me lo aspettavo proprio.Really? I didn't expect that at all.
- MartinaSì, hanno preferito lasciarsi per motivi diversi.Yes, they preferred to break up for different reasons.
- FrancescoPeccato, erano una coppia molto carina.That's a pity, they were a very cute couple.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “break up” translations and entries lasciarsi, rompere, terminare, separarsi, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries lasciarsi, rompere, terminare, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
