reventar
/rebenˈtaɾ/
The English verb to bust (to break something) can be translated into Spanish as reventar or partir.
Meaning: to break something (verb)
Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA |
|---|---|
| reventar | /rebenˈtaɾ/ |
| partir | /paɾˈtiɾ/ |
If you are referring to a police operation, the expression Operativo policial is used. To describe someone getting caught or busted, you might use the informal verb Agarrar or the colloquial verb Atrapar. Relatedly, the noun busto can refer to a sculptural portrayal of a person's head and shoulders or to the breasts and upper thorax of a woman. The term herma (on an estipite) also refers to a sculptural portrayal of a person's head and shoulders.
Which one should you use?
While both reventar and partir can mean to break, reventar is often used when something breaks due to internal pressure, like a balloon or a tire or in a colloquial sense to mean 'to break' something violently.
Related words
How do you pronounce it?
/rebenˈtaɾ/
Did you know?
- While partir means to break or split, it is also the primary verb used for 'to leave' or 'to depart' in many Spanish-speaking countries.
- When a person is 'busted' or caught in Spain, they might be described as pillado, which literally means 'caught' or 'plucked' like a piece of fruit.
- The Spanish word partir is a cognate of the English word 'party', as both come from the Latin concept of dividing or distributing parts.
Examples in context
- Durante el operativo policial, las autoridades lograron la detención de varios sospechosos.During the police operation, the authorities managed to make several arrests.
- La policía hizo una redada en el lugar y encontró drogas y armas.The police conducted a bust at the location and found drugs and weapons.
- Los contrabandistas fueron atrapados por la policía en el puerto.The smugglers were busted by the police at the port.
- Se puede reventar la tubería si hay mucha presión.The pipe can burst if there is too much pressure.
- El neumático se va a reventar pronto.The tire is going to burst soon.
Example conversation
Mateo and Sofía are checking the pressure in a balloon.
- MateoSofía, ten cuidado con ese globo.Sofía, be careful with that balloon.
- SofíaNo te preocupes, no se va a reventar.Don't worry, it's not going to burst.
- MateoParece que tiene demasiado aire.It looks like it has too much air.
- SofíaEs verdad, mejor lo desinflamos.It's true, better to deflate it.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “bust” translations and entries reventar, partir, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries partir, reventar, CC BY-SA 4.0.
