bomba nuclear
/ˌbomba nukleˈaɾ/
The English verb "nuke" can be translated into Spanish as bomba nuclear.
The phrase refers to the act of using a nuclear weapon on a target.
Meaning: (colloquial) to use a nuclear weapon on a target (verb)
Which one should you use?
In informal speech, you can use nukear as a Spanish adaptation of the English term 'nuke'.
Related words
How do you pronounce it?
/ˌbomba nukleˈaɾ/
Did you know?
- In Spanish, the word bomba is used for everything from a nuclear weapon to a simple water pump or a cream-filled pastry.
- The term bomba is also the name of a specific genre of music and dance in Puerto Rico. If you use the word in a Caribbean context, you might find yourself discussing rhythm rather than explosives.
- The word bomba comes from the Latin bombus, which referred to a deep buzzing or humming noise rather than an explosion.
Example conversation
Daniel and Sofía are discussing a movie plot.
- DanielEn la película, el ejército quiere lanzar una bomba nuclear.In the movie, the army wants to nuke it.
- SofíaEso sería demasiado extremo, Daniel.That would be too extreme, Daniel.
- DanielSí, pero es la única forma de ganar.Yes, but it is the only way to win.
- SofíaNo creo que sea una buena idea.I don't think it's a good idea.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry bomba nuclear, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries bomba, nuclear, CC BY-SA 4.0.
