Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA |
|---|---|
| gritar | /ɡɾiˈtaɾ/ |
| desgañitarse | /desɡaɲitaɾse/ (from spelling rules) |
| desgalillarse | /desɡaliʝaɾse/ (from spelling rules) |
| desgañifarse | /desɡaɲifaɾse/ (from spelling rules) |
| huchear | /ut͡ʃeˈaɾ/ |
The most common and neutral term to express the act of shouting in Spanish is gritar. Related to this verb, you can use the nouns grito, vociferación or gritoneo to refer to a loud burst of voice or a shout.
Which one should you use?
While gritar is the standard verb for shouting, desgañitarse implies shouting so loudly or for so long that one risks damaging their throat or voice. You may also encounter the term huchear.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
The verb vociferar is a more formal synonym for gritar, whereas chillar is an informal word used to describe shouting that often implies high-pitched or shrill screams.
Is it said differently in some regions?
The expression dar alaridos is used predominantly in Spain and some Latin American countries to mean to scream or to shout. Additionally, the informal expression gritar a todo pulmón means shouting at the top of one's lungs.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
Gritar is a regular -ar verb, which means its conjugations follow the standard patterns for verbs ending in -ar.
How do you pronounce it?
/ɡɾiˈtaɾ/
Did you know?
- The verb desgañitarse comes from gañote, a colloquial word for the throat. It literally describes the act of shouting until you ruin your throat.
- The word gritar is a direct descendant of the Vulgar Latin word crītāre.
- While gritar is neutral, the word chillar is specifically used for high-pitched or shrill sounds, often resembling the sound of a pig.
Examples in context
- Él empezó a gritar.He began to shout.This sentence shows the use of the verb gritar in a simple past context.Tatoeba #731692 by Shishir, translation #295293 by CK
- He oído gritar a alguien.I heard a shout.This sentence demonstrates hearing someone perform the action of gritar.Tatoeba #2156797 by Shishir, translation #5850465 by CK
- Tom escuchó a Mary gritar.Tom heard Mary shout.This sentence illustrates the use of gritar after a verb of perception.Tatoeba #1434171 by marcelostockle, translation #1028677 by CK
- El profesor les pedía a los alumnos que no gritaran en clase.The teacher asked the students not to shout in class.
- El orador vociferaba sus demandas al público.The speaker shouted his demands to the audience.
- ¡No necesitas chillar! Te puedo escuchar perfectamente.You don't need to shout! I can hear you perfectly.
- El público gritaba a todo pulmón en el concierto.The crowd shouted at the top of their lungs at the concert.
- La niña dio alaridos al ver una araña.The girl screamed when she saw a spider.
- ¡Deja de gritar a grito pelado! Nos vas a dejar sordos.Stop shouting at the top of your lungs! You're going to make us deaf.
- 9 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Elena and Daniel are at a loud music festival.
- Elena¡Daniel, tienes que gritar para que te oiga!Daniel, you have to shout so I can hear you!
- Daniel¡No puedo gritar más fuerte!I can't shout any louder!
- ElenaEs que no te escucho nada.It's just that I can't hear you at all.
- DanielEstá bien, intentaré gritar de nuevo.Okay, I will try to shout again.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “shout” translations and entries gritar, desgañitarse, huchear, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries gritar, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
