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estropear

to ruin; to damage

verb ehs-troh-peh-AHR Rare

Usage Note

Estropear means to spoil, damage, or break something — plans, objects, or relationships alike: estropeó la sorpresa (he spoiled the surprise). The reflexive estropearse means to break down or go off (food): se estropeó el motor. It is more colloquial than dañar and more physical than arruinar.

Examples

"La lluvia estropeó el picnic."

Natural Translation

The rain ruined the picnic.

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