explotar
/eɡsploˈtaɾ/
In Spanish, blowing up is translated as explotar.
The verb explotar is used for both physical explosions, such as a bomb and figurative explosions, such as a person's sudden outburst of anger. In certain contexts, it can also mean to exploit or take advantage of someone, though the phrase explotar a alguien is more frequently used for that meaning.
Which one should you use?
While explotar is the general term for exploding, you might use other terms depending on the nuance: estallar specifically refers to something bursting or shattering due to pressure and reventar is a more informal way to say something is bursting.
How does it change in a sentence?
The gerund form of explotar is explotando, meaning exploding. In the preterite tense, the third-person singular is explotó (he/she/it exploded) and the third-person plural is explotaron (they exploded).
How do you pronounce it?
/eɡsploˈtaɾ/
Did you know?
- In some Spanish-speaking regions, 'explotar' is used colloquially to mean something has become extremely popular or is 'blowing up' on social media. This usage mirrors the English slang for sudden success.
- In some Spanish-speaking regions, reventar is used figuratively to describe being extremely full after a meal, as if one might 'blow up'.
- The verb explotar shares its French ancestor, exploiter, with the English word 'exploit'. This is why the word can shift between the meaning of a physical blast and the act of using a resource or person.
Examples in context
- Ese edificio explotó debido a una bomba.That building blew up due to a bomb.
- El equipo de demolición hizo detonar los explosivos controladamente.The demolition team blew up the explosives in a controlled manner.
- La presión hizo estallar el globo.The pressure made the balloon burst.
- El coche explotó en mil pedazos después del choque.The car blew up into a thousand pieces after the crash.
- El globo se reventó cuando lo inflamos demasiado.The balloon burst when we inflated it too much.
- La bomba va a explotar.The bomb is going to explode.
- El gas puede explotar si hay calor.The gas can explode if there is heat.
Example conversation
María and Javier are watching a movie about a spy mission.
- María¡Mira! El edificio está a punto de explotar.Look! The building is about to blow up.
- JavierEspero que los protagonistas escapen a tiempo.I hope the protagonists escape in time.
- MaríaCorrieron muy rápido, pero ya explotó todo.They ran very fast, but everything already exploded.
- JavierFue una escena muy impactante, María.It was a very shocking scene, María.
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.
