trastornar
verbCEFR B2
What does “trastornar” mean in English?
to disrupt, to throw into disorder
to disrupt, to throw into disorder (to upset normal functioning; trastornar el funcionamiento / el orden)
Example sentences
La huelga de transportes trastornó gravemente el funcionamiento normal de la ciudad durante tres días.
The transport strike severely disrupted the normal functioning of the city for three days.
La erupción volcánica trastornó el tráfico aéreo en toda Europa, cancelando miles de vuelos.
The volcanic eruption disrupted air traffic across Europe, cancelling thousands of flights.
El anuncio inesperado trastornó los planes de la empresa, que tuvo que revisar toda su estrategia de crecimiento.
The unexpected announcement disrupted the company's plans, which had to revise its entire growth strategy.
How to use it
Trastornar means 'to disrupt', 'to upset', or 'to throw into disorder' — causing significant disruption to a system, routine, or normal functioning. Broader in scope than interrumpir (interrupt, moment-specific). Common objects: el funcionamiento normal, el orden, la vida cotidiana. Note: trastorno as a noun also means 'mental disorder', so context is critical.
Common mistake
Trastornar vs. interrumpir: trastornar disrupts a system or pattern; interrumpir stops something momentarily. The noun trastorno mental (mental disorder) is a completely different meaning — always check context. Trastornar is more formal than alterar for the disruption sense.