soplar
/soˈplaɾ/
To blow in Spanish is soplar.
soplar is a verb meaning to force a current of air upon with the mouth, or by other means. You can use the specific phrase soplar las velas to mean 'to blow out the candles', such as when someone is blowing out candles on a birthday cake. Additionally, the phrase un soplo de aire refers to 'a gust of air'.
Meaning: to force a current of air upon with the mouth, or by other means (verb)
How does it change in a sentence?
The first-person singular present indicative form of soplar is soplo (I blow). The third-person singular preterite form is sopló (he/she/it blew).
How do you pronounce it?
/soˈplaɾ/
Did you know?
- A person who is described as soplón is not someone who blows air, but rather a 'snitch' or an 'informant' who 'blows' the truth to authorities.
- In some Latin American countries, if someone says me sopló la respuesta, they mean the person whispered the correct answer to them during a test.
- The word soplar shares a common ancestor with the Latin 'sub' (meaning 'under'), reflecting how the air is pushed from beneath the lips.
Examples in context
- Empezó a soplar un fuerte viento.A strong wind began to blow.This sentence describes a strong wind beginning to blow using soplar.Tatoeba #5327812 by baudelaire, translation #5336161 by Amittai
- Él hizo que su novia soplara los dados antes de arrojarlos para la suerte.He had his girlfriend blow on the dice for luck before he threw them.This sentence shows how someone might use soplar when blowing on dice for luck.Tatoeba #1274148 by marcelostockle, translation #643282 by darinmex
- Por favor, sopla la velaPlease, blow out the candle
- El viento fuerte arrastró las hojasThe strong wind blew away the leaves
- Ella sopló las velasShe puffed out the candles
- Pide un deseo y luego sopla las velasMake a wish, and then blow out the candles
- La tormenta trajo un fuerte soplo de aireThe storm brought a powerful gust of wind
Example conversation
Elena and Javier are in the kitchen cooling down their soup.
- ElenaTienes que soplar la sopa porque está muy caliente.You have to blow on the soup because it is very hot.
- JavierTienes razón, Elena, no puedo comerla todavía.You are right, Elena, I cannot eat it yet.
- ElenaEspera un poco y verás que se enfría.Wait a bit and you will see that it cools down.
- JavierEstá bien, voy a soplar un poco más.Okay, I am going to blow a little more.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry soplar, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries soplar, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
