explotar
/eɡsploˈtaɾ/
The English phrase "blow up" translates to Spanish as explotar.
explotar is an intransitive verb meaning to explode. It can be used figuratively to describe a person losing their temper or "blowing up" with anger, such as in the phrase explotar de ira.
Meaning: to explode (intransitive) (verb)
Which one should you use?
While explotar means to explode or blow up, it can also mean to exploit or take advantage of someone in a figurative sense. In contrast, estallar is a formal option used to refer to explosions or when something bursts or shatters.
How does it change in a sentence?
The third-person singular preterite form of explotar is explotó, which means "it blew up" or "it exploded".
How do you pronounce it?
/eɡsploˈtaɾ/
Did you know?
- The word explotar is a back-formation from explosión, meaning the verb was actually created after the noun already existed in the language.
- If you say you are explotando in a business context, you are not 'exploding', but rather 'exploiting' or 'developing' a resource or a mine.
- In some dialects, the phrase estallar en risas is used for 'bursting out laughing', whereas using explotar in this context would sound unnaturally violent.
Examples in context
- ¡Va a explotar!It's going to blow up!Tatoeba #1065167 by Mofli, translation #1199195 by CM
- El coche explotó por un problema en el motor.The car blew up due to an issue with the engine.
- El globo estalló repentinamente.The balloon blew up suddenly.
- El tanque puede explotar en cualquier momento.The tank could explode at any moment.
- Cuidado, esa bomba va a explotar.Watch out, that bomb is going to explode.
Example conversation
Alejandro and Elena are watching a movie about a demolition expert.
- AlejandroMira, ese edificio va a explotar.Look, that building is going to explode.
- Elena¡Qué miedo! ¿Va a explotar todo?How scary! Is everything going to explode?
- AlejandroSí, es una escena muy intensa.Yes, it is a very intense scene.
- ElenaAlejandro, prefiero ver una comedia.Alejandro, I prefer watching a comedy.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry explotar, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries explotar, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
