quiero terminar contigo
/kjeɾo teɾminaɾ kontiɡo/from spelling rules
The English phrase "I want to break up with you" is translated into Spanish as quiero terminar contigo.
This phrase is used to tell a romantic partner that you want to end the relationship.
What does it mean word for word?
Literally, quiero terminar contigo translates to "I want to finish with you".
Which one should you use?
While terminar contigo is a standard way to express this, you may also see terminar la relación, which is a more explicit or formal way to state the intent to end the relationship.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In many Spanish-speaking regions, the colloquial phrase quiero cortar contigo is commonly used to mean "I want to break up with you".
How does it change in a sentence?
In the phrase terminar contigo, the verb terminar (which means to finish or end) is used specifically to mean ending a romantic relationship.
How do you pronounce it?
/kjeɾo teɾminaɾ kontiɡo/
Did you know?
- In certain Spanish-speaking contexts, if you say you want to 'break up' using the word romper, you might be misunderstood as wanting to literally 'break' or 'smash' something, rather than ending a romance.
- In some Spanish-speaking cultures, if someone is too hesitant to say quiero terminar contigo, they might use the phrase estamos mal ('we are bad'), which functions as a soft signal that a breakup is imminent.
- The word contigo is actually a linguistic contraction of two words, literally meaning 'with you with'. It stems from the Latin 'cum tecum', where the preposition and pronoun are fused together.
Examples in context
- Deseo terminar nuestra relación. Creo que es lo mejor para ambos.I want to end our relationship. I think it's best for both of us.
- Quiero poner fin a nuestra relación. He reflexionado mucho sobre esto.I want to put an end to our relationship. I have thought a lot about this.
- Me gustaría terminar nuestra relación. Siento que hemos crecido en direcciones diferentes.I would like to end our relationship. I feel like we have grown in different directions.
- Quiero terminar contigo. No siento lo mismo que antes.I want to break up with you. I don't feel the same way as before.
- Creo que es mejor que nos separemos. No veo un futuro juntos.I think it's best if we break up. I don't see a future together.
- Lo siento, pero quiero terminar contigo.I'm sorry, but I want to break up with you.
- Ya no siento lo mismo y quiero terminar contigo.I don't feel the same way anymore and I want to break up with you.
Example conversation
Javier and Lucía are sitting in a quiet park.
- JavierLucía, tenemos que hablar.Lucía, we need to talk.
- Lucía¿Qué pasa, Javier? Estás muy serio.What's wrong, Javier? You are very serious.
- JavierLa verdad es que quiero terminar contigo.The truth is that I want to break up with you.
- LucíaNo puedo creer que me digas esto.I can't believe you are telling me this.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries contigo, terminar, CC BY-SA 4.0.
