terminaron
/teɾminaɾon/from spelling rules
The English phrase "they broke up" can be translated into Spanish as terminaron.
The phrase describes two people in a romantic relationship who have decided to end their partnership. While it can refer to a breakup, it is important to note that depending on the context, it can also mean they finished a specific task or activity.
What does it mean word for word?
The word terminaron is a form of the verb terminar, which means to end or to finish.
Which one should you use?
While terminaron can mean "they broke up" in a romantic context, it literally means "they finished" (for example, a task or a meal). Another way to express breaking up is rompieron, which is often used in the phrase rompieron con su pareja.
How does it change in a sentence?
The form terminaron is the third-person plural preterite of the verb terminar, which is used to indicate that the breakup was a completed action in the past.
How do you pronounce it?
/teɾminaɾon/
Did you know?
- In some Latin American countries, the phrase quedaron is used to describe the status of a couple who have stopped seeing each other, though it literally means 'they stayed' or 'they remained'.
- In many Spanish-speaking cultures, if you want to say someone 'broke up' with a partner, you might say cortaron (they cut), implying the severing of a tie.
- To describe a messy breakup, Spanish speakers often use the word ruptura, which shares the same root as the English word 'rupture'.
Examples in context
- María y Juan terminaron su relación de cinco años.Maria and Juan ended their five-year relationship.
- Ana y Pedro rompieron su noviazgo después de un año.Ana and Pedro broke up their courtship after one year.
- Juan y Andrés se separaron después de diez años juntos.Juan and Andrés separated after ten years together.
- Carla y Miguel cortaron su relación debido a diferencias irreconciliables.Carla and Miguel cut ties due to irreconcilable differences.
- Ellos terminaron la semana pasada.They broke up last week.
- ¿Supiste que ellos terminaron?Did you know that they broke up?
Example conversation
Two friends are talking about a mutual couple.
- María¿Viste a Carlos y Ana?Did you see Carlos and Ana?
- JavierNo, ¿por qué?No, why?
- MaríaEllos terminaron ayer.They broke up yesterday.
- Javier¡Qué lástima!That's a shame!
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
