bombardeo
/bombaɾˈdeo/masculine
The Spanish word for bombing is bombardeo.
Bombardeo is the most standard term used in Spanish to refer to a bombing. While bombardeo refers to the act of bombing or the event itself, you might use explosión to describe a bombing incident, particularly when focusing on an explosion caused by a bomb. If you are referring specifically to a bomb attack, use atentado con bomba.
Meaning: action of dropping bombs from the air (noun)
Which one should you use?
It is important to distinguish between the event and the object: bombardeo refers to the act of bombing, whereas bomba refers to the physical explosive device itself.
How does it change in a sentence?
The plural form of bombardeo is bombardeos. The related verb meaning to bomb or to carry out a bombing is bombardear.
How do you pronounce it?
/bombaɾˈdeo/
Did you know?
- In the Caribbean, a bomba refers to a traditional style of drumming and dance from Puerto Rico that originated with enslaved Africans.
- The word bomba is used in the phrase estás bomba in some regions to describe someone who looks very attractive or sexy.
- In Spanish, the word bomba is not only used for explosives but also for a water pump or a physical exercise for the legs.
Examples in context
- Tom y María sobrevivieron al bombardeo.Tom and Mary survived the bombing.This sentence is useful for seeing how to describe surviving a bombardeo.Tatoeba #1898552 by marcelostockle, translation #1532909 by Spamster
- Mientras preparaba una radiodifusión en el año 1984, el presidente estadounidense bromeaba a la ligera acerca de cómo había firmado la legislación que pondría a Rusia más allá de la ley. Él decía, "comenzaremos el bombardeo el cinco minutos".While preparing for a radio speech in the year 1984, the American president offhandedly joked about having signed legislation that would "outlaw" Russia. "We begin bombing in five minutes," he'd said.This sentence uses bombardeo in the context of a quote regarding the start of a bombing.Tatoeba #3574148 by marcelostockle, translation #3567686 by Objectivesea
- El bombardeo de la ciudad fue devastadorThe bombing of the city was devastating
- El atentado con bomba dejó varios heridosThe bomb attack left several injured
- Hubo un ataque con bomba en la plazaThere was a bomb attack in the square
- El atentado en la estación de tren dejó varios heridosThe bombing at the train station left several injured
- El bombardeo comenzó muy temprano en la mañana.The bombing began very early in the morning.
Example conversation
Sofía and Mateo are discussing a historical documentary.
- Sofía¿Viste las imágenes del bombardeo en el documental?Did you see the images of the bombing in the documentary?
- MateoSí, fue un bombardeo muy intenso y destructivo.Yes, it was a very intense and destructive bombing.
- SofíaMe asustó mucho ver ese bombardeo en la televisión.It scared me a lot to see that bombing on television.
- MateoEs comprensible, Sofía, es una situación terrible.It is understandable, Sofía, it is a terrible situation.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “bombing” translations and entries bombardeo, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
