Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| rompecabezas | /rompekaˈbeθas/ /rompekaˈbesas/ |
masculine |
| puzle | /ˈpuθle/ /ˈpusle/ |
masculine |
In Spanish, this refers to a game, toy or problem that requires mental effort to complete or solve as a pastime or test of ability. When speaking about the physical act of putting together a jigsaw puzzle, the verb armar is frequently used to mean 'to assemble' or 'to put together'. If you are specifically referring to a riddle or a brain teaser, the formal term el acertijo is used.
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'.
Which one should you use?
Rompecabezas is the standard term for a puzzle, whereas puzle is a common anglicism used in more informal contexts.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The word rompecabezas is invariable in number, meaning it remains the same whether it is singular or plural.
How do you pronounce it?
/rompekaˈbeθas/
Did you know?
- The term rompecabezas shares a linguistic 'DNA' with the French term casse-tête, as both use the concept of breaking the head to describe mental difficulty.
- If you find a puzzle too difficult, you might jokingly say it is un quebradero de cabeza, which is a very common idiom meaning 'a headache-breaker'.
- Because rompecabezas is an invariable noun, the only way to tell if a speaker is referring to one puzzle or several is by looking at the article, such as el versus los.
Examples in context
- Tom completó el rompecabezas.Tom completed the jigsaw puzzle.This sentence shows how to use rompecabezas to talk about completing a jigsaw puzzle.Tatoeba #1517928 by hayastan, translation #1517921 by Spamster
- He entendido el rompecabezas.I've figured out the puzzle.This sentence shows the use of rompecabezas when talking about figuring something out.Tatoeba #5869850 by albrusgher, translation #953901 by CK
- Tengo que armar un rompecabezas.I have a puzzle to solve.This sentence illustrates the use of the verb armar with rompecabezas to describe solving a puzzle.Tatoeba #3983697 by senryakun, translation #2358792 by CK
- ¿Dónde puedo comprar un rompecabezas en línea?Where can I buy a puzzle online?
- Mi primo es muy bueno resolviendo acertijos.My cousin is very good at solving riddles.
- ¡Este juego de ingenio es realmente desafiante!This puzzle is really challenging!
- Me encanta resolver el puzzle antes de desarmarlo.I love solving the puzzle before taking it apart.
- 17 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
María and Daniel are looking at a table in the living room.
- MaríaDaniel, ¿estás haciendo un rompecabezas?Daniel, are you doing a puzzle?
- DanielSí, pero me faltan tres piezas.Yes, but I am missing three pieces.
- MaríaEste rompecabezas es muy difícil.This puzzle is very difficult.
- DanielTienes razón, es un reto.You are right, it is a challenge.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “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.
