reventar
/rebenˈtaɾ/
To burst in Spanish is reventar.
reventar is used to describe things like balloons, tires or pipes that fail due to pressure. For a more neutral description of the act of bursting, you can use estallar. If the burst is loud and violent, such as an explosion, explotar is often used. When talking about liquids or containers, romper can also be used to convey the idea of bursting. For an expressive way to say garments or fabrics are bursting, you can use the phrase estallar las costuras.
Meaning: to break from internal pressure (verb)
Which one should you use?
While reventar is used for bursting due to pressure, explotar is more commonly used for an explosion or a sudden, violent burst.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
reventar is a regular -ar verb in the present tense. When describing an object bursting due to internal pressure, the pronominal form (using 'se') is typically used, such as se reventó (it burst).
How do you pronounce it?
/rebenˈtaɾ/
Did you know?
- In many Spanish-speaking countries, saying that a person reventó can be a very blunt, colloquial way to say they died suddenly, such as from a heart attack.
- To describe someone 'bursting with laughter', Spanish speakers may use desternillarse, which literally means 'to break one's ribs'.
- The word reventar comes from the Vulgar Latin *repentare, which is related to the word repentino meaning 'sudden'.
Examples in context
- El globo se va a reventar.The balloon will burst.This sentence is useful for seeing how to say a balloon will burst using reventar.Tatoeba #1386215 by marcelostockle, translation #680454 by Source_VOA
- Nuestras tuberías se reventaron.Our water pipes burst.This sentence shows how to describe water pipes that burst using reventar.Tatoeba #1386213 by marcelostockle, translation #680453 by Source_VOA
- Se le reventaron muchos capilares en las piernas.He had many capillaries burst in his legs.This sentence demonstrates using reventar to describe capillaries bursting.Tatoeba #1174132 by marcelostockle, translation #1174135 by marcelostockle
- La bomba estalló en el aireThe bomb burst in the air
- Las burbujas de jabón estallaron al contacto con el sueloThe soap bubbles burst upon contact with the ground
- El globo explotó asustándonos a todosThe balloon burst, scaring us all
- El neumático explotó y rompió la llantaThe tire burst and tore the rim
- La taza se rompió en mil pedazos al caer al sueloThe cup burst into a thousand pieces when it fell to the ground
- El río rompió los diques y las inundaciones arrasaron el puebloThe river burst the dams, and the floods devastated the town
- El globo se reventó al rozar una ramaThe balloon burst when it brushed against a branch
- Me reventé de la risa con su chisteI burst out laughing at his joke
Example conversation
Daniel and Sofía are in a kitchen during a storm.
- DanielTen cuidado con ese globo, se puede reventar.Be careful with that balloon, it might burst.
- SofíaNo te preocupes, Daniel, no tiene mucha presión.Don't worry, Daniel, it doesn't have much pressure.
- DanielEspera, ¡acaba de reventar!Wait, it just burst!
- Sofía¡Vaya! Tenías razón.Wow! You were right.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “burst” translations and entries reventar, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries reventar, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
