petarlo
/petaɾlo/from spelling rules
The English phrase 'pop off' can be translated into Spanish as petarlo.
In Spanish, these terms are used to describe someone who is being very successful or performing exceptionally well in a specific activity.
What does it mean word for word?
The verb part, petar, literally means to explode or to burst. This provides the metaphorical sense of 'exploding' onto a scene or performing with high energy.
Which one should you use?
While petarlo is a common way to express this, you might also use romperla to mean 'to kill it' or 'to nail it'.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
The phrase petarlo is highly colloquial and should be used in informal settings among friends or peers.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Argentinian slang, you can use descoser to express the idea of 'popping off' or 'tearing it up' regarding a performance.
How does it change in a sentence?
You can conjugate the verb into the past tense, such as lo petó, to describe a successful event that has already occurred.
How do you pronounce it?
/petaɾlo/
Did you know?
- The Argentinian equivalent descoser literally translates to 'to unpick stitches' or 'to come undone' from a piece of clothing.
- While petarlo means to succeed, the same root verb petar is used in Spanish gaming culture to describe a computer or console that crashes completely.
- In Spain, petarlo is frequently used as a specific way to describe a song that becomes a viral hit or a nightclub that is packed with people.
Examples in context
- ¡Hoy en el partido de fútbol, Juan la rompió!Juan absolutely killed it in today's soccer match!
- Ayer en el concierto, la banda la reventó.Yesterday at the concert, the band killed it.
- Vas a petarlo en el examen de mañana.You are going to kill it on tomorrow's exam.
Example conversation
Lucía and Mateo are talking about Mateo's upcoming talent show.
- Lucía¿Estás nervioso por el concurso de baile?Are you nervous about the dance competition?
- MateoUn poco, pero voy a petarlo.A little, but I'm going to crush it.
- Lucía¡Eso es! Lo vas a hacer genial.That's the spirit! You're going to do great.
- MateoGracias, Lucía. Haré todo lo posible.Thanks, Lucía. I'll do my best.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
