explotar
/eɡsploˈtaɾ/
To explode in Spanish is explotar.
explotar means to destroy violently. It is commonly used in scientific or technical contexts.
Meaning: to destroy violently (verb)
How does it change in a sentence?
The third-person singular preterite form of explotar is explotó (he/she/it exploded). The third-person plural preterite form is explotaron (they exploded).
How do you pronounce it?
/eɡsploˈtaɾ/
Did you know?
- The word explotar is a doublet with two different origins, having been borrowed from the French exploiter and also created as a back-formation from explosión.
- While explotar means 'to explode', it is also the standard word for 'to exploit' in many Spanish-speaking countries, such as when talking about 'explotar un recurso' or 'explotar un negocio'.
- In certain Latin American contexts, explotar can be used figuratively to mean 'to burst with emotion', such as when someone 'explota de alegría' or 'explota de rabia'.
Examples in context
- ¡Eso va a explotar!It's going to explode!This sentence uses explotar.Tatoeba #2595743 by hayastan, translation #1894425 by Spamster
- Estoy a punto de explotar.I'm about to explode.Tatoeba #14014559 by emigonza, translation #5753301 by CM
- ¡Me estoy meando, la vejiga me va a explotar!It's coming out! My bladder's about to explode!Tatoeba #9622408 by Shishir, translation #10555615 by DJ_Saidez
- El científico anticipó que la bomba nuclear podría estallar en cualquier momento.The scientist predicted that the nuclear bomb could explode at any moment.
- El tanque de gasolina explotó debido a una falla mecánica.The gas tank exploded due to a mechanical failure.
- Cuando el globo rozó el techo, hizo un ruido y ¡boom!, explotó.When the balloon touched the ceiling, it made a noise and boom! It exploded.
- 4 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Javier and Elena are watching a movie about a volcano.
- JavierEl volcán va a explotar pronto.The volcano is going to explode soon.
- Elena¡Espero que el pueblo esté vacío!I hope the town is empty!
- JavierSi llega a explotar, todo se destruirá.If it explodes, everything will be destroyed.
- ElenaQué escena tan intensa, Javier.What an intense scene, Javier.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry explotar, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries explotar, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
