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B1 noun 9 min de leitura

quiebra

Pratique Exemplos Notas e dicas quiebra em 30 segundos

Explicação quiebra in your Level:

At the A1 level, you don't need to worry about the legal details of 'quiebra'. Just think of it as a very serious way to say 'no money'. Imagine a toy bank that breaks and all the money falls out—that's the 'quiebra'. In simple Spanish, if a shop closes forever because they have no money, people might say it is in 'quiebra'. You might hear it in very simple news stories about famous companies closing. Focus on the phrase 'en quiebra' as a state, like 'The shop is in quiebra'. It is a feminine word, so we always say 'la quiebra'. Even if you don't use it much yet, knowing it helps you understand when people are talking about big money problems.

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As an A2 learner, you can start using 'quiebra' to talk about businesses. You already know words like 'dinero' (money) and 'empresa' (company). Now, you can connect them: 'La empresa no tiene dinero, está en quiebra'. You should learn the basic verb that goes with it: 'quebrar'. For example, 'Muchos restaurantes quebraron durante la crisis'. This level is about recognizing the word in newspapers or on TV when they talk about the economy. It’s also useful to know that it is much more serious than just being 'pobre' (poor). Being 'en quiebra' is a specific situation where a business has to stop working because of debts.

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At B1, you should be able to use 'quiebra' in more complex sentences and understand its role in business discussions. You should learn the common phrase 'declararse en quiebra' (to declare bankruptcy). This is a reflexive action. You can also use 'al borde de la quiebra' to describe a company that is almost failing but still trying to survive. At this level, you start to see the difference between 'quiebra' and 'pobreza'. 'Quiebra' is about debts and legal status, while 'pobreza' is a general social condition. You might use 'quiebra' in a presentation about the economy or when discussing the plot of a movie where a character loses their fortune.

For B2 learners, 'quiebra' becomes a technical term. You should understand the difference between 'quiebra' and 'bancarrota' (the latter being slightly more informal or influenced by English). You should also be familiar with 'quiebra técnica', which is when a company's debts are higher than what it owns, even if it still operates. You can use the word metaphorically now, such as 'la quiebra de la confianza' (the breakdown of trust). Your grammar should be precise: 'La quiebra fue inevitable dadas las circunstancias'. You should also know related words like 'acreedor' (creditor) and 'deuda' (debt) to talk about the context of a bankruptcy effectively.

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At the C1 level, you should use 'quiebra' with total confidence in academic and professional settings. You should understand the legal nuances, such as 'concurso de acreedores' in Spain, which is the formal process of 'quiebra'. You can discuss the historical impact of 'quiebras' on national economies or the 'quiebra del sistema bipartidista' (the collapse of the two-party system) in politics. You should be able to identify the word in literature, where it might describe a physical fissure in a landscape or a deep psychological break in a character. Your vocabulary should include 'insolvencia' and 'cesación de pagos' as more technical synonyms used in formal reports.

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As a C2 speaker, you have a masterly grasp of 'quiebra' and its etymological roots from the Latin 'crepare'. You can use it in high-level legal discourse, distinguishing between 'quiebra fortuita', 'quiebra culpable', and 'quiebra fraudulenta' (accidental, negligent, and fraudulent bankruptcy). You understand the subtle shift in meaning when the word appears in poetry or philosophy to represent the disintegration of reality or the 'quiebra' of the human spirit. You can navigate complex economic texts where 'quiebra' is just one part of a larger discussion on fiscal policy, sovereign debt, and market volatility, using the term with the precision of a native professional.

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Pratique Exemplos Notas e dicas

quiebra em 30 segundos

Quiebra refers to the legal and financial state of bankruptcy where an entity cannot pay its debts.
It is a feminine noun derived from 'quebrar' (to break), implying a total collapse of financial structure.
Commonly used with verbs like 'declararse' (to declare) or 'estar' (to be) in business and legal contexts.
Can also metaphorically describe a breakdown in relationships, values, or physical structures like terrain.

The Spanish word quiebra is a powerful and multi-faceted noun that primarily describes the state of financial collapse or bankruptcy. While its literal roots trace back to the physical act of breaking, in modern Spanish, it is the standard term used in business, law, and daily conversation to signify that an entity—be it a multinational corporation, a small local shop, or even a personal estate—has run out of money and cannot meet its financial obligations. Understanding 'quiebra' is essential for anyone navigating the professional world in Spanish-speaking countries, as it carries heavy legal and social weight. It isn't just a word for having 'no money'; it implies a formal, often terminal, state of insolvency.

Financial Context: The most common usage refers to 'bancarrota'. When a business fails, it enters a 'proceso de quiebra'.
Metaphorical Context: It can refer to a rupture or a break in a relationship, a system, or a physical structure, though 'ruptura' is more common for relationships.

Historically, the word evolved from the verb quebrar (to break). Imagine a merchant’s bench in a medieval market being physically broken to signal they could no longer trade—this is the visual history of the word. In a modern sentence, you will often see it paired with the verb 'declararse' (to declare oneself), as in 'declararse en quiebra'. This phrase is the direct equivalent of 'to file for bankruptcy'.

La aerolínea nacional finalmente anunció su quiebra tras meses de pérdidas millonarias.

Beyond the boardroom, you might hear 'quiebra' in news reports discussing the 'quiebra de valores' (the breakdown of values) in society, or the 'quiebra del orden constitucional' (the breakdown of constitutional order). In these cases, it signifies a total collapse of a previously stable structure. It is a word of finality and serious consequence.

When using this word, it is important to distinguish between 'estar sin blanca' (being broke/having no cash) and 'estar en quiebra' (being legally bankrupt). The former is a temporary state of an individual, while the latter is a formal status. In professional settings, using 'quiebra' shows a higher level of vocabulary and a better grasp of formal Spanish nuances.

El inversor perdió todo su capital debido a la repentina quiebra del banco minorista.

Common Collocations: 'Quiebra técnica', 'Quiebra fraudulenta', 'Al borde de la quiebra'.

Using quiebra correctly requires understanding its grammatical role as a feminine noun. It is almost always preceded by the definite article 'la' or used within prepositional phrases like 'en quiebra'. Unlike the English 'bankruptcy' which can sometimes act as an adjective (e.g., 'a bankruptcy lawyer'), in Spanish, you would say 'un abogado de quiebras' using the noun form.

Si no reducimos los gastos operativos, la empresa irá directamente a la quiebra.

One of the most frequent structures is [Sujeto] + estar + en quiebra. This describes the current state of an entity. For example, 'El país está en quiebra' (The country is bankrupt). Another vital structure is [Sujeto] + declararse + en quiebra, which describes the action of filing for bankruptcy. It is reflexive because the entity is declaring its own status to the court or the public.

Action Verbs: Llevar a la quiebra (to lead to bankruptcy), Evitar la quiebra (to avoid bankruptcy), Provocar la quiebra (to cause bankruptcy).

In more advanced or literary Spanish, 'quiebra' can describe physical cracks or openings in the earth or a landscape. For instance, 'una quiebra en el terreno' refers to a fissure or a ravine. However, for a learner at the B1 level, focusing on the financial meaning is the priority. You should also be aware of the plural 'quiebras' when referring to multiple instances or the general field of bankruptcy law.

Muchos pequeños negocios no pudieron sobrevivir a la crisis y terminaron en quiebra.

When discussing history or economics, you will encounter 'La Gran Quiebra' or 'El crac del 29', referring to the stock market crash and subsequent bankruptcies. Here, 'quiebra' represents the macro-economic failure of a system. In a more personal sense, though less common, 'quiebra espiritual' refers to a total loss of morale or faith, showing the word's versatility in expressing total collapse.

Prepositional Use: 'Al borde de la quiebra' is a very common idiomatic expression meaning 'on the brink of bankruptcy'.

If you turn on a Spanish-speaking news channel like RTVE, CNN en Español, or Univision, you are almost certain to hear quiebra during the business segment. It is the go-to word for journalists reporting on economic downturns. You’ll hear phrases like 'La quiebra de FTX ha sacudido el mercado de las criptomonedas' (The bankruptcy of FTX has shaken the crypto market). It sounds serious, official, and definitive.

El locutor anunció que la constructora solicitó la protección por quiebra esta mañana.

In a professional office environment, specifically in accounting, law, or management, 'quiebra' is used with technical precision. You might hear a manager warning, 'Si no cerramos este trato, nos enfrentamos a una quiebra técnica' (If we don't close this deal, we face a technical bankruptcy). A technical bankruptcy occurs when liabilities exceed assets, even if the company still has cash flow—a nuance often discussed in MBA programs in Spanish.

You will also find this word in literature and cinema, often as a plot device. A family’s 'quiebra' is a classic trope in telenovelas, serving as the catalyst for a fall from grace or a desperate struggle to regain status. In these contexts, the word is laden with emotion and shame, reflecting the social stigma that often accompanies financial failure in many Hispanic cultures.

Legal Documents: In contracts or court rulings, you will see 'Ley de Quiebras' (Bankruptcy Law) or 'Auto de quiebra' (Bankruptcy decree).

Finally, in the context of history lessons, specifically when discussing the 'Siglo de Oro' or the decline of the Spanish Empire, 'quiebra' is used to describe the repeated sovereign defaults of the Spanish crown. It is a word that connects the modern financial world with centuries of economic history.

One of the most frequent errors for English speakers is confusing quiebra with the word 'quebrada'. While they share the same root, a 'quebrada' is a stream, brook, or a ravine in many Latin American countries (like Argentina or Chile). If you say a company is 'en una quebrada', you are saying it is in a stream, not that it is bankrupt!

Incorrecto: El banco está en quebrada.
Correcto: El banco está en quiebra.

Another common mistake is using 'quiebra' when you actually mean 'quiebre'. While 'quiebra' is the financial state, 'quiebre' is often used to describe a sudden change in direction, a break in a sequence, or a 'break' in sports (like a break point in tennis). For example, 'un quiebre de tendencia' (a break in trend) uses 'quiebre', not 'quiebra'.

Gender Confusion: Learners sometimes mistakenly use 'el quiebra'. It is always feminine: 'la quiebra'.

Be careful with the verb 'quebrar'. In some contexts, it means 'to break' (like a bone or a glass), but in others, it means 'to go bankrupt'. If you say 'Mi abuelo quebró la pierna', it sounds like he broke his leg on purpose. You should use the reflexive 'se quebró' for accidents, but for a business, you say 'La empresa quebró' (The company went bankrupt).

Lastly, don't confuse 'quiebra' with 'bancarrota'. While they are synonyms, 'bancarrota' is sometimes considered more informal or a direct translation of the English word. In many legal systems, 'quiebra' is the technical term. Using 'bancarrota' is not wrong, but 'quiebra' sounds more native and professional in a business context.

To truly master the concept of quiebra, you should be familiar with its synonyms and related terms, each carrying a slightly different nuance. The most direct synonym is bancarrota. In most daily situations, they are interchangeable, but 'quiebra' is slightly more formal and legally precise.

Quiebra vs. Insolvencia: 'Insolvencia' (insolvency) is the technical inability to pay debts. 'Quiebra' is the legal declaration of that state. You can be insolvent without being in 'quiebra' yet.
Quiebra vs. Ruina: 'Ruina' (ruin) is more emotional and broad. It suggests total devastation, not just financial. A person can be 'en la ruina' after a divorce or a disaster.

Another alternative is fracaso (failure). While a 'quiebra' is a financial failure, 'fracaso' can apply to any unsuccessful endeavor—a movie, a marriage, or a project. If a business fails but doesn't necessarily owe money to everyone, it’s a 'fracaso comercial' rather than a 'quiebra'.

La quiebra fue inevitable, pero el empresario aprendió de su fracaso anterior.

In the context of physical breaks, you might use fractura (fracture), rotura (breakage), or grieta (crack). These are much more common when talking about objects or bones. 'Quiebra' in a physical sense is quite poetic or specific to geography (like a fault line or a sudden drop in terrain).

To summarize, while 'quiebra' is your primary word for bankruptcy, choosing 'insolvencia' for technical discussions or 'ruina' for dramatic effect will make your Spanish sound more natural and varied.

How Formal Is It?

Curiosidade

The term 'bankruptcy' in English comes from 'banca rotta' (broken bench), which is exactly the same concept as 'quiebra'—the physical breaking of a merchant's table when they could no longer do business.

Guia de pronúncia

UK /ˈkje.βɾa/

US /ˈkje.βɾa/

The stress is on the first syllable: QUIE-bra.

Rima com

niebla siembra hembra culebra vertebra celebra integra aliebra

Erros comuns

Pronouncing the 'u' in 'quiebra' (it should be silent).
Over-emphasizing the 'b' like an English 'b' (it should be softer between vowels).
Making the 'r' too long like a trill (it is a single tap 'r').
Pronouncing 'ie' as two separate syllables.
Stressing the last syllable (que-BRA).

Nível de dificuldade

Leitura 3/5

Common in news and business texts, easy to recognize but has technical nuances.

Escrita 4/5

Requires knowledge of specific verbs like 'declararse' and correct gender usage.

Expressão oral 3/5

Pronunciation is straightforward, but must avoid confusion with 'quebrada'.

Audição 3/5

Easily heard in news broadcasts; distinct sound with the 'ie' diphthong.

O que aprender depois

Pré-requisitos

dinero empresa pagar deuda romper

Aprenda a seguir

insolvencia acreedor hipoteca subasta liquidación

Avançado

concurso de acreedores quiebra técnica suspensión de pagos activos y pasivos

Gramática essencial

Uso de la preposición 'en' con estados financieros

Estar en quiebra, estar en deuda.

Verbos reflexivos para cambios de estado legal

Declararse en quiebra.

Género de los sustantivos terminados en -a

La quiebra (femenino).

Diptongo 'ie' en raíces verbales y nominales

Quebrar -> Quiebra.

Sustantivación de procesos

El acto de quebrar se convierte en 'la quiebra'.

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Exemplos por nível

La tienda está en quiebra.

The shop is bankrupt.

Uses 'estar' to show a state.

No hay dinero, es una quiebra.

There is no money, it's a bankruptcy.

Basic noun usage.

La gran quiebra de la empresa.

The big bankruptcy of the company.

Feminine noun with 'la'.

Mi juguete tuvo una quiebra.

My toy had a break.

Literal use of 'break'.

Ellos tienen miedo a la quiebra.

They are afraid of bankruptcy.

'Miedo a' + noun.

La quiebra es triste.

Bankruptcy is sad.

Subject of the sentence.

Vemos la quiebra en las noticias.

We see the bankruptcy in the news.

Direct object.

Es una quiebra total.

It is a total bankruptcy.

Adjective 'total' modifying 'quiebra'.

El restaurante cerró por quiebra.

The restaurant closed due to bankruptcy.

'Por' indicating cause.

Muchos negocios terminan en quiebra.

Many businesses end in bankruptcy.

'Terminar en' + noun.

La quiebra ocurrió el año pasado.

The bankruptcy happened last year.

Preterite tense of 'ocurrir'.

No queremos ir a la quiebra.

We don't want to go bankrupt.

'Ir a la quiebra' is a common expression.

La quiebra de ese banco fue famosa.

The bankruptcy of that bank was famous.

Possessive 'de'.

Ella perdió su casa por la quiebra.

She lost her house because of the bankruptcy.

Causal 'por'.

El jefe anunció la quiebra hoy.

The boss announced the bankruptcy today.

Direct object with 'anunciar'.

Es difícil recuperarse de una quiebra.

It is hard to recover from a bankruptcy.

'Recuperarse de' + noun.

La empresa se declaró en quiebra ayer.

The company declared bankruptcy yesterday.

Reflexive 'se declaró'.

Estamos al borde de la quiebra.

We are on the brink of bankruptcy.

Idiomatic 'al borde de'.

La quiebra afectó a miles de empleados.

The bankruptcy affected thousands of employees.

Personal 'a' used with 'empleados'.

Para evitar la quiebra, pidieron un préstamo.

To avoid bankruptcy, they asked for a loan.

Infinitive 'evitar' to show purpose.

La quiebra técnica no siempre significa el cierre.

Technical bankruptcy doesn't always mean closing.

Compound term 'quiebra técnica'.

Tras la quiebra, tuvo que empezar de cero.

After the bankruptcy, he had to start from scratch.

'Tras' + noun.

La mala gestión llevó al hotel a la quiebra.

Bad management led the hotel to bankruptcy.

'Llevar a alguien a la quiebra'.

Nadie esperaba una quiebra tan repentina.

Nobody expected such a sudden bankruptcy.

'Tan' + adjective.

El juez dictaminó la quiebra de la constructora.

The judge ruled the bankruptcy of the construction company.

Formal verb 'dictaminar'.

La quiebra fraudulenta es un delito grave.

Fraudulent bankruptcy is a serious crime.

Legal term 'quiebra fraudulenta'.

Hubo una quiebra en las negociaciones de paz.

There was a break in the peace negotiations.

Metaphorical use for 'breakdown'.

La quiebra de valores en la sociedad es preocupante.

The breakdown of values in society is worrying.

Abstract usage.

Solicitaron la quiebra voluntaria ante el tribunal.

They requested voluntary bankruptcy before the court.

Legal term 'quiebra voluntaria'.

El país enfrenta una posible quiebra soberana.

The country faces a possible sovereign default/bankruptcy.

Economic term 'quiebra soberana'.

La quiebra de la bolsa provocó el pánico.

The stock market crash caused panic.

Context of 'crash'.

Se sospecha que la quiebra fue provocada.

It is suspected that the bankruptcy was staged/caused.

Passive voice 'fue provocada'.

La quiebra de Lehman Brothers cambió las finanzas globales.

The collapse of Lehman Brothers changed global finance.

Historical reference.

Existe una quiebra evidente entre el discurso y la acción.

There is an evident gap/break between speech and action.

Metaphorical 'gap'.

El análisis forense reveló una quiebra sistemática.

Forensic analysis revealed a systematic failure/breakdown.

Technical/Analytical context.

La quiebra del glaciar fue un espectáculo natural.

The breaking of the glacier was a natural spectacle.

Physical/Geological use.

Su quiebra emocional fue producto del agotamiento.

His emotional breakdown was a product of exhaustion.

Psychological usage.

La legislación sobre quiebras ha sido reformada recientemente.

Bankruptcy legislation has been recently reformed.

Plural noun in a legal context.

La quiebra del orden público obligó al toque de queda.

The breakdown of public order forced a curfew.

Political/Social context.

El autor explora la quiebra de la realidad en su novela.

The author explores the disintegration of reality in his novel.

Literary/Abstract usage.

La quiebra de la monarquía absoluta fue un proceso lento.

The dismantling of the absolute monarchy was a slow process.

Historical/Political nuance.

Se produjo una quiebra en la unidad de mando militar.

A breach occurred in the military chain of command.

Specific institutional usage.

La quiebra de los paradigmas científicos actuales es inminente.

The collapse of current scientific paradigms is imminent.

Epistemological usage.

El síndico de la quiebra procedió a liquidar los activos.

The bankruptcy trustee proceeded to liquidate the assets.

Highly technical legal term 'síndico'.

La quiebra de la lógica en su argumento era palmaria.

The breakdown of logic in his argument was blatant.

Philosophical/Rhetorical usage.

Asistimos a la quiebra del sueño europeo.

We are witnessing the disintegration of the European dream.

High-level political commentary.

La quiebra de la liturgia tradicional causó controversia.

The disruption of traditional liturgy caused controversy.

Religious/Sociological context.

La quiebra del terreno dificultaba el avance de las tropas.

The unevenness/fissures of the terrain hindered the troops' progress.

Advanced geographical usage.

Colocações comuns

quiebra técnica

declararse en quiebra

al borde de la quiebra

quiebra fraudulenta

evitar la quiebra

ley de quiebras

proceso de quiebra

quiebra soberana

causar la quiebra

quiebra de valores

Frases Comuns

ir a la quiebra

— To go bankrupt or fail financially.

Si no vendemos más, iremos a la quiebra.

salvar de la quiebra

— To rescue someone or something from bankruptcy.

El gobierno salvó al banco de la quiebra.

quiebra total

— Complete and absolute financial failure.

Fue una quiebra total, no quedó nada.

presentar la quiebra

— To officially present bankruptcy papers to a court.

El abogado presentó la quiebra esta mañana.

después de la quiebra

— Referring to the time following a bankruptcy.

Después de la quiebra, se mudó a otro país.

miedo a la quiebra

— The fear of losing everything financially.

El miedo a la quiebra paralizó sus inversiones.

ante la quiebra

— In the face of or when dealing with bankruptcy.

Ante la quiebra, los socios se pelearon.

quiebra inminente

— Bankruptcy that is about to happen very soon.

Los rumores de una quiebra inminente son ciertos.

estado de quiebra

— The formal condition of being bankrupt.

La empresa entró en estado de quiebra.

quiebra comercial

— Specifically referring to a business bankruptcy.

La quiebra comercial afectó al centro de la ciudad.

Frequentemente confundido com

quiebra vs quebrada

Means a stream or ravine, not bankruptcy.

quiebra vs quiebre

Means a break in direction, trend, or a sports move.

quiebra vs ruptura

Usually used for romantic breakups or physical breaking of objects.

Expressões idiomáticas

"estar en la quiebra"

— To be completely broke, often used colloquially.

Este mes no puedo salir, estoy en la quiebra.

Informal

"quiebra de cabeza"

— A headache or a very difficult problem to solve (related to 'rompecabezas').

Este examen es una quiebra de cabeza.

Informal/Regional

"punto de quiebra"

— Breaking point; the moment when something can no longer continue.

La relación llegó a su punto de quiebra.

Neutral

"quiebra de lanzas"

— An old literary term for a duel or a strong argument.

Hubo una quiebra de lanzas entre los políticos.

Literary

"quiebra-huesos"

— Something very physically demanding or a specific type of bird (bearded vulture).

Ese trabajo de construcción es un quiebra-huesos.

Colloquial

"a quiebra-cincha"

— At full speed or with great effort (Latin American origin).

Trabajamos a quiebra-cincha para terminar a tiempo.

Informal

"quiebra-platos"

— Someone clumsy who breaks things.

No le dejes la vajilla a ese quiebra-platos.

Informal

"quiebra-sueños"

— Someone or something that destroys hopes or dreams.

La realidad fue una quiebra-sueños para él.

Poetic

"dar el quiebro"

— To dodge or evade something, often used in bullfighting or metaphorically.

Le dio el quiebro a la pregunta del periodista.

Neutral

"en la quiebra del alba"

— At the very first light of dawn (the 'break' of dawn).

Salieron de viaje en la quiebra del alba.

Literary

Fácil de confundir

quiebra vs quebrada

Similar root and sound.

Quebrada is a geographical feature (stream/ravine); Quiebra is a financial state.

Bebimos agua de la quebrada (stream) vs. La empresa entró en quiebra (bankruptcy).

quiebra vs quiebre

Both are nouns from 'quebrar'.

Quiebre is a 'break' in a sequence or physical movement; Quiebra is a 'failure' or 'collapse'.

Un quiebre de cintura (hip twist) vs. La quiebra del negocio.

quiebra vs bancarrota

They mean the same thing.

Bancarrota is more informal or an anglicism; Quiebra is the formal legal term.

Declararse en bancarrota vs. Presentar la quiebra.

quiebra vs fractura

Both mean 'break'.

Fractura is for bones or materials; Quiebra is for finances or systems.

Fractura de fémur vs. Quiebra económica.

quiebra vs grieta

Both mean a 'break' or 'split'.

Grieta is a physical crack in a wall or ground; Quiebra is a total collapse.

Hay una grieta en la pared vs. La quiebra de la sociedad.

Padrões de frases

La empresa está en [quiebra].

La empresa está en quiebra.

[Sujeto] se declaró en quiebra.

El restaurante se declaró en quiebra.

Estar al borde de la [quiebra].

Estamos al borde de la quiebra.

La quiebra de [Nombre] afectó a [Grupo].

La quiebra del banco afectó a los ahorradores.

Debido a la [quiebra], tuvieron que [Acción].

Debido a la quiebra, tuvieron que vender la fábrica.

Se dictaminó una quiebra [Adjetivo].

Se dictaminó una quiebra fraudulenta.

La quiebra de [Concepto Abstracto] es evidente.

La quiebra de la confianza es evidente.

Asistimos a la quiebra del [Sistema].

Asistimos a la quiebra del sistema financiero internacional.

Família de palavras

Substantivos

quiebra

quiebro

quebrada

quebranto

quebradura

resquebrajadura

Verbos

quebrar

quebrarse

resquebrajar

resquebrajarse

Adjetivos

quebrado

quebradizo

quebrantable

resquebrajado

Relacionado

bancarrota

fracaso

ruptura

falla

grieta

Cadastre-se grátis para ver todos os exemplos

Como usar

frequency

High in news, business, and legal contexts; medium in daily life.

Erros comuns

El quiebra → La quiebra
The word is feminine and must take the feminine article.
La empresa está en quebrada → La empresa está en quiebra
'Quebrada' is a stream or ravine. 'Quiebra' is bankruptcy.
Declarar quiebra → Declararse en quiebra
The expression usually requires the reflexive 'se' and the preposition 'en'.
Un quiebra de la ley → Un quebrantamiento de la ley
For breaking laws or rules, 'quebrantamiento' or 'violación' is more appropriate.
La quiebra de su pierna → La fractura de su pierna
Use 'fractura' for medical/physical breaks of bones.

Dicas

Gender Check

Always remember 'la quiebra'. Even though it refers to something broken, the word itself follows the standard feminine ending.

Verb Pairing

Learn 'quiebra' alongside the verb 'quebrar'. This helps you understand the action (to break/fail) and the result (bankruptcy).

Business Spanish

In a formal business meeting, use 'quiebra' to sound more professional than 'bancarrota'.

The 'K' Sound

The 'qu' in quiebra sounds like the 'C' in 'Collapse' or 'Crash'. Associate the sound with financial disaster.

Regional Use

In Spain, be aware that 'concurso de acreedores' is the term you will see in newspapers more often than 'quiebra'.

Idiomatic Use

Use 'al borde de la quiebra' to add drama and precision to your writing about struggling entities.

News Keywords

When you hear 'deuda' (debt) and 'cierre' (closure), listen for 'quiebra' nearby.

Soft B

Make sure your 'b' in quiebra is soft. It shouldn't sound like a hard 'B' in 'Boy', but more like a gentle vibration.

Latin Roots

Remember 'crepare' (to crack). A quiebra is a 'crack' in the financial system.

Metaphors

Don't be afraid to use 'quiebra' for abstract things like 'quiebra de la paz' to sound more literary.

Memorize

Mnemônico

Think of a 'QUICK BREAK' in your bank account. 'QUIE-bra' sounds like 'QUICK' and 'BREAK'. When your money has a quick break, you are in quiebra.

Associação visual

Imagine a ceramic piggy bank with a massive 'QUIE-bra' (crack) down the middle, and it's completely empty.

Word Web

Dinero Deuda Banco Empresa Juez Cierre Pobre Fracaso

Desafio

Try to use 'quiebra' in three different ways today: once for a business, once for a personal state (exaggerated), and once metaphorically for a relationship.

Origem da palavra

Derived from the Spanish verb 'quebrar', which comes from the Vulgar Latin 'crepare'.

Significado original: To crack, burst, or make a sharp sound.

Romance (Latin)

Contexto cultural

Avoid using 'quiebra' lightly around business owners who are struggling, as it implies total failure.

English speakers often use 'bankruptcy' for both the state and the legal process. In Spanish, 'quiebra' is the state, while 'concurso' is often the process.

The 'Gran Quiebra' (Great Depression) in history books. The song 'Quiebra' by various Latin artists exploring emotional breaks. News headlines regarding the 'quiebra de Lehman Brothers'.

Pratique na vida real

Contextos reais

Noticias de Economía

caída de la bolsa
crisis financiera
rescate bancario
quiebra de empresas

Derecho Mercantil

procedimiento concursal
masa hereditaria
prelación de créditos
síndico de quiebra

Conversación Personal

estoy sin blanca
no llego a fin de mes
me he arruinado
estoy en la quiebra

Geografía

quiebra del terreno
falla geológica
accidente geográfico
grieta profunda

Literatura

quiebra del alma
ruptura con el pasado
quiebra de la esperanza
fragmentación del relato

Iniciadores de conversa

"¿Has oído hablar de la quiebra de la gran empresa de tecnología?"

"¿Qué medidas crees que debería tomar un país para evitar la quiebra?"

"¿Alguna vez has usado la frase 'estoy en la quiebra' de forma exagerada?"

"¿Cuál es la diferencia entre una quiebra y un simple fracaso comercial?"

"¿Crees que es posible recuperarse totalmente después de una quiebra financiera?"

Temas para diário

Describe una situación en la que una empresa famosa se declaró en quiebra y cómo afectó a la gente.

Escribe sobre una 'quiebra de valores' que observes en el mundo moderno y cómo solucionarla.

Imagina que eres un empresario al borde de la quiebra. ¿Qué harías para salvar tu negocio?

Reflexiona sobre el significado metafórico de la palabra quiebra en las relaciones humanas.

Investiga la historia de una quiebra famosa en tu país y resume los eventos principales.

Perguntas frequentes

10 perguntas

Sí, en la práctica son sinónimos. Sin embargo, 'quiebra' es el término legal preferido en la mayoría de los países de habla hispana, mientras que 'bancarrota' se usa más en el lenguaje cotidiano o por influencia del inglés 'bankruptcy'.

Sí, pero es una exageración humorística. En español, si simplemente no tienes dinero en ese momento, es mejor decir 'estoy sin blanca' o 'estoy pelado'.

Es una situación contable donde las deudas de una empresa superan el valor de sus activos, aunque la empresa todavía tenga dinero en efectivo para operar día a día.

Se dice 'declararse en quiebra' o 'solicitar la quiebra'.

Casi siempre, ya que implica fracaso o colapso. Solo en contextos geográficos o poéticos puede ser descriptiva sin una connotación negativa de fracaso.

El plural es 'quiebras'. Se usa para referirse a múltiples casos de insolvencia.

Sí, una persona física también puede declararse en quiebra, aunque en algunos países se usan términos específicos como 'concurso de persona física'.

Viene del verbo 'quebrar', que a su vez viene del latín 'crepare', que significa crujir o romperse.

Es un sustantivo femenino. El adjetivo relacionado es 'quebrado' o 'insolvente'.

Se usa para describir una hendidura profunda en la tierra o un cambio brusco de nivel en el terreno.

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