verb

rasgar

tear

Es abrir o partir algo, como papel o tela, haciendo que se divida en dos o más partes de manera irregular.

Definition & meaning

Rasgar is a Spanish verb meaning to tear, rip, or rend something, usually by pulling it apart or making a long split in it.

It can be used in several related ways:

To tear or rip a material:
Rasgar el papel — “to tear the paper.”
To make a tear or opening in something:
Rasgar la tela — “to tear the fabric.”
To tear something apart violently:
Rasgar una carta — “to rip up a letter.”
Reflexive form — to tear or split open:
La camisa se rasgó — “The shirt tore.”
Figuratively, to rend or break through something:
Rasgar el silencio — “to break the silence,” usually with a sudden sound.

It may also be used in the expression rasgarse las vestiduras , literally “to tear one’s clothes,” meaning to express exaggerated outrage or indignation.

Grammar & Word origin

Part of speech: verb
Conjugation: regular -ar verb, with an orthographic change in forms where the stem would otherwise be pronounced with a soft g:
- yo rasgué — “I tore”
- que él rasgue — “that he tear”
Common reflexive form: rasgarse — “to tear,” “to split,” or “to become torn.”
Past participle: rasgado — “torn” or “ripped.”
Gerund: rasgando — “tearing.”

The word is related to rasgo , meaning “stroke,” “mark,” or “feature,” and ultimately refers to making a mark or split by tearing.

Synonyms & antonyms

Synonyms

romper — “to break” or “to tear.” This is broader than rasgar and applies to many kinds of breaking, not only a long tear.
desgarrar — “to rip apart” or “to lacerate.” It often suggests greater force, violence, or damage.
rajar — “to split” or “to slit.” It emphasizes making a cut or opening, often with a straight line.
desgarrar — can also mean “to rend emotionally,” especially in literary or figurative contexts.