Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA |
|---|---|
| duplicar | /dupliˈkaɾ/ |
| doblar | /doˈblaɾ/ |
| redoblar | /redoˈblaɾ/ |
The primary verb for doubling a quantity or value is duplicar. Related forms include the adjective doble, which means 'designed for two' and the noun doble, which refers to a drink containing a double amount of alcohol.
Which one should you use?
Use duplicar specifically when you are talking about increasing a mathematical or quantitative value by two times. While doblar can mean to double a quantity in some contexts, its primary meaning is to fold or bend something. For increasing the intensity, volume or effort of an action, such as doubling down on a bet, use redoblar.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Spain, the term doble fila is used to refer to double parking or parking in two rows.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
When you are describing a value that doubles on its own, such as sales or a population, you should use the reflexive form duplicarse.
How do you pronounce it?
/dupliˈkaɾ/
Did you know?
- Spanish uses doblar when referring to the bells of a church ringing for a funeral, known as doblar las campanas. This usage refers to the rhythmic doubling of the tolling.
- In Spanish, the verb doblar is used to describe the act of turning a corner, as in 'turning the street'. This usage is related to the physical act of bending or folding.
- To describe a 'double-cross' or a betrayal, Spanish speakers use the phrase doble juego, which literally translates to 'double game'.
Examples in context
- Las ventas deberían duplicarse este año.Sales should double this year.This sentence shows how to use the reflexive form duplicarse for sales.Tatoeba #2005800 by marcelostockle, translation #243116 by CK
- En nuestra parte monógama del mundo, casarse significa dividir entre dos tus derechos y duplicar tus obligaciones.In our monogamous part of the world, to marry means to halve one’s rights and double one's duties.This sentence uses duplicar to describe increasing obligations.Tatoeba #678823 by Shishir, translation #678633 by Scott
- Necesito una habitación doble para dos noches, por favor.I need a double room for two nights, please.
- Por favor, necesito una copia duplicada del informe.Please, I need a duplicate copy of the report.
- ¡Qué rico! Me gustaría una doble ración de papas fritas, por favor.How delicious! I would like a double portion of fries, please.
- No puedes estacionarte en doble fila, es una infracción.You can't park in double rows, it's a violation.
- Queremos duplicar la producción este mes.We want to double production this month.
Example conversation
Lucía and Daniel are talking about their small business goals.
- LucíaDaniel, ¿podemos duplicar las ventas pronto?Daniel, can we double sales soon?
- DanielEs difícil, pero es posible.It is difficult, but it is possible.
- LucíaDebemos esforzarnos mucho para lograrlo.We must work very hard to achieve it.
- DanielTienes razón, Lucía.You are right, Lucía.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “double” translations and entries duplicar, doblar, redoblar, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
