zumbar
/θumˈbaɾ/
The English verb "buzz" translates to Spanish as zumbar. Wiktionary also lists abejorrear.
Meaning: to make a low, continuous, humming or sibilant sound (verb)
Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA |
|---|---|
| zumbar | /θumˈbaɾ/ /sumˈbaɾ/ |
| abejorrear | /abexoreˈaɾ/ |
The primary meaning is to make a low, continuous, humming or sibilant sound. For the noun forms, zumbido and zurrido refer to a continuous humming noise. If you are referring to the metaphorical buzz of information spreading behind the scenes, you can use suspiro.
Which one should you use?
While zumbar is the general verb used for buzzing or humming in any context, abejorrear is a more specific term that evokes the sound made by a bumblebee (an abejorro).
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The noun form of the verb zumbar is zumbido.
How do you pronounce it?
/θumˈbaɾ/
Did you know?
- The word zumbar shares a linguistic root with the Portuguese word zombar, though in Portuguese it has evolved to mean 'to mock'.
- While zumbar means to buzz, it is also used colloquially in many Spanish-speaking countries to mean 'to move very fast' or 'to go somewhere quickly'.
- In certain slang contexts, particularly in some Latin American regions, zumbido can refer to a 'rumor' or a piece of gossip that is circulating rapidly.
Examples in context
- El zumbido de las abejas era ensordecedor en el jardín.The buzzing of the bees was deafening in the garden.
- Durante la reunión, se escuchaba un murmullo constante de discusiones.During the meeting, a constant buzz of discussions could be heard.
- El murmullo de la ciudad siempre está presente en las calles.The buzz of the city is always present in the streets.
- El nuevo lanzamiento del álbum generó mucho ruido en la industria musical.The new album release generated a lot of buzz in the music industry.
- Las abejas suelen zumbar cerca de las flores.Bees tend to buzz near the flowers.
- Oigo algo que parece zumbar en la habitación.I hear something that seems to buzz in the room.
- El motor empezó a zumbar de forma extraña.The engine started to buzz in a strange way.
Example conversation
María and Alejandro are sitting in a garden near a beehive.
- María¿Escuchas ese insecto que no para de zumbar?Do you hear that insect that won't stop buzzing?
- AlejandroSí, es una abeja muy ruidosa.Yes, it is a very noisy bee.
- MaríaMe pone nerviosa cuando empieza a zumbar así.It makes me nervous when it starts buzzing like that.
- AlejandroNo te preocupes, María, no nos hará nada.Don't worry, María, it won't do anything to us.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “buzz” translations and entries zumbar, abejorrear, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries abejorrear, zumbar, CC BY-SA 4.0.
