rompecabezas
/rompekaˈbeθas/masculine
The English phrase 'jigsaw puzzle' is translated into Spanish as rompecabezas. Wiktionary also lists puzle.
Meaning: type of puzzle (noun)
Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| rompecabezas | /rompekaˈbeθas/ /rompekaˈbesas/ |
masculine |
| puzle | /ˈpuθle/ /ˈpusle/ |
masculine |
The term refers to a type of puzzle.
What does it mean word for word?
The word rompecabezas is a compound of rompe, meaning 'breaks' and cabezas, meaning 'heads', literally translating to 'head-breaker'.
How does it change in a sentence?
The word rompecabezas is invariable in number. It remains the same whether you are talking about one puzzle or multiple puzzles.
How do you pronounce it?
/rompekaˈbeθas/
Did you know?
- In a figurative sense, a person can be described as a rompecabezas if their personality is complex, contradictory or difficult for others to understand.
- The phrase romperse la cabeza is a common idiom meaning to think very hard or to obsess over a difficult problem, mirroring the noun rompecabezas.
- The term rompecabezas shares a linguistic DNA with the French expression casse-tête, both of which literally describe something that 'breaks' or 'cracks' the head.
Examples in context
- Tom completó el rompecabezas.Tom completed the jigsaw puzzle.This sentence is useful for seeing how to express completing a rompecabezas.Tatoeba #1517928 by hayastan, translation #1517921 by Spamster
- Me pareció que era un rompecabezas relativamente difícil.I felt it was a relatively difficult jigsaw puzzle.This sentence is useful for describing the difficulty of a rompecabezas.Tatoeba #5404184 by albrusgher, translation #328694 by fcbond
- ¡Vamos a armar un rompecabezas este fin de semana!Let's put together a jigsaw puzzle this weekend!
- El puzzle encajable es perfecto para pasar el tiempo en familia.The interlocking puzzle is perfect for family bonding time.
- Compré un rompecabezas de mil piezas.I bought a thousand-piece jigsaw puzzle.
- 2 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Mateo and María are sitting at the kitchen table.
- Mateo¿Quieres armar este rompecabezas conmigo?Do you want to assemble this jigsaw puzzle with me?
- MaríaSí, parece muy divertido.Yes, it looks very fun.
- MateoEs un rompecabezas de un paisaje.It is a landscape jigsaw puzzle.
- MaríaMe encanta, vamos a empezar.I love it, let's start.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “jigsaw puzzle” translations and entries rompecabezas, puzle, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries puzle, rompecabezas, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
