demoler
/demoˈleɾ/
To demolish in Spanish is demoler.
The verb demoler is used specifically to refer to the demolition of structures or buildings.
Meaning: to destroy (verb)
Which one should you use?
While demoler is used for buildings and structures, the term destruir is a more general term used for destroying anything.
How does it change in a sentence?
The third-person singular preterite form of demoler is demolió (he/she/it demolished), and the third-person plural preterite form is demolieron (they demolished).
How do you pronounce it?
/demoˈleɾ/
Did you know?
- While you can 'demolish' a cake or a meal in English slang, in Spanish, using demoler for food would sound like you are literally using a wrecking ball on your plate.
- Although demoler looks like the English 'demolish', it is considered a 'semi-learned' word, meaning it was borrowed directly from Latin by scholars rather than entering the language through common speech.
- If you are taking apart furniture or machinery, you must use desmontar instead of demoler, even if the object is completely destroyed in the process.
Examples in context
- La ciudad demolerá los edificios abandonados para construir nuevos proyectos urbanos.The city will demolish the abandoned buildings to construct new urban projects.
- La compañía demolerá la antigua fábrica para construir una planta más avanzada.The company will demolish the old factory to build a more advanced plant.
- El gobierno decidió demoler el puente deteriorado para garantizar la seguridad vial.The government decided to demolish the deteriorated bridge to ensure road safety.
- Vamos a tumbar esa pared vieja para ampliar la cocina.Let's demolish that old wall to expand the kitchen.
- Quiero echar abajo esta casita y construir una casa más grande.I want to demolish this little house and build a bigger one.
- Van a demoler el edificio viejo.They are going to demolish the old building.
- El ayuntamiento decidió demoler la estructura.The city council decided to demolish the structure.
- No pueden demoler la casa todavía.They cannot demolish the house yet.
Example conversation
Elena and Daniel are walking through a construction site.
- ElenaMira, van a demoler esa casa pronto.Look, they are going to demolish that house soon.
- DanielEs una pena, era muy bonita.It is a pity, it was very beautiful.
- ElenaSí, pero necesitan demolerla para construir un parque.Yes, but they need to demolish it to build a park.
- DanielEntonces el parque será una buena idea.In that case, the park will be a good idea.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “demolish” translations and entries demoler, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries demoler, CC BY-SA 4.0.
