breve
adjectiveCEFR B2
What does “breve” mean in English?
brief, short — of short duration or length
brief, short — of short duration or length (una breve declaración, un breve resumen); also: en breve = shortly/soon
Example sentences
La presidenta hizo una breve declaración ante los medios antes de entrar en la sala de reuniones.
The president made a brief statement to the media before entering the meeting room.
La conferencia fue demasiado breve para abordar un tema tan complejo como el cambio climático.
The conference was too brief to address a topic as complex as climate change.
En breve conoceremos los resultados de la investigación, según ha adelantado el equipo científico.
We will soon know the results of the research, according to what the science team has announced.
How to use it
Breve means 'brief' or 'short' — of short duration or length (time or text). It is gender-invariable (un discurso breve / una declaración breve). Takes ser when describing an intrinsic quality: 'El discurso fue breve'. Key collocations: una breve pausa (a brief pause), en breve (shortly/soon — fixed adverbial phrase), de forma breve (briefly), en pocas palabras / en breve (in brief). Note: en breve = shortly (time), not 'in short'. 'In short' = en resumen / en pocas palabras.
Common mistake
'En breve' means 'shortly/soon' — it is a temporal adverb, not a summarising phrase. 'In short/to put it briefly' = en resumen or en pocas palabras. This is a very common confusion. Also: breve is gender-invariable — never use *breva as the feminine form. Don't confuse with corto (short in physical length or duration) — breve has a more formal register and is preferred in written texts.