derretir
/dereˈtiɾ/
To melt in Spanish is derretir.
The verb refers to a solid becoming a liquid.
Meaning: intransitive: (of a solid) to become a liquid (verb)
Which one should you use?
Use the form derretir when an agent is melting something else (transitive use). Use the reflexive form derretirse when describing a substance melting on its own (intransitive use).
How does it change in a sentence?
The non-reflexive form derretir is used for transitive actions. For intransitive use, where a substance melts on its own, use the reflexive form derretirse. The past participle derretido can be used as an adjective to describe something that has melted.
How do you pronounce it?
/dereˈtiɾ/
Did you know?
- The Spanish word derretir shares an ancient root with the English word 'detriment'. Both originate from the Latin word terere, meaning 'to rub' or 'to wear away'.
- While derretir is used for ice, the verb fundir is often preferred for melting metals or fusing materials together, which is why an electrical fuse is called a fusible.
- The reflexive derretirse is used not just for physical substances, but also to describe a person becoming completely smitten or swooning over someone's charm.
Examples in context
- Estos cubos de hielo se derretirán pronto.These ice cubes will melt soon.Tatoeba #2930670 by marcelostockle, translation #681457 by Source_VOA
- No puedo derretir este hielo. No hay fuego.I cannot melt this ice. There is no fire.Tatoeba #1687239 by marcelostockle, translation #1686435 by Amastan
- El café caliente puede derretir el vaso de plástico.The hot coffee can melt a plastic cup.Tatoeba #2998581 by hayastan, translation #2998754 by annabelle
- La nieve empezó a derretirse bajo el sol de mediodía.The snow began to melt under the midday sun.
- El chocolate se funde cuando lo calientas en el microondas.Chocolate melts when you heat it in the microwave.
- Me derrito de amor al verte sonreír.I melt with love when I see you smile.
- 6 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Sofía and Alejandro are eating ice cream outside on a hot day.
- SofíaCome rápido, tu helado se empieza a derretir.Eat quickly, your ice cream is starting to melt.
- AlejandroTienes razón, hace demasiado calor hoy.You are right, it is too hot today.
- SofíaMira, el mío ya se terminó de derretir.Look, mine has already finished melting.
- Alejandro¡Qué desastre! Vamos adentro ahora mismo.What a disaster! Let's go inside right now.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry derretir, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries derretir, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
