Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA |
|---|---|
| azotar | /aθoˈtaɾ/ /asoˈtaɾ/ |
| dar un portazo | /daɾ un poɾtaθo/ (Spain, from spelling rules) /daɾ un poɾtaso/ (Latin America, from spelling rules) |
| tirar | /tiˈɾaɾ/ |
| cerrar de golpe | /θeraɾ de ɡolpe/ (Spain, from spelling rules) /seraɾ de ɡolpe/ (Latin America, from spelling rules) |
| cerrar de un golpe | /θeraɾ de un ɡolpe/ (Spain, from spelling rules) /seraɾ de un ɡolpe/ (Latin America, from spelling rules) |
The English verb 'to slam' can be translated in several ways depending on whether you are describing a general forceful action or the specific act of slamming a door. In everyday conversation, speakers often use phrases like dar un portazo to describe the specific action of slamming a door.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase un portazo is a noun meaning a door slam. It is formed from puerta (door) and the suffix -azo, which denotes a heavy blow or impact.
Which one should you use?
There are several ways to express this depending on your focus. Dar un portazo is the most common way to describe the specific action of slamming a door in daily speech. Cerrar de golpe or cerrar de un golpe both mean to shut something with a bang or sudden force, using the adverbial phrase de golpe to emphasize the suddenness.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Spain, the phrase dar un portazo is commonly used to describe the act of slamming a door shut.
How does it change in a sentence?
The phrase cerrar de golpe uses the adverbial phrase de golpe to indicate that the closing action is being done with suddenness and force.
How do you pronounce it?
/aθoˈtaɾ/
Did you know?
- The phrase dar un portazo is used figuratively in Spanish to describe abruptly ending a relationship or cutting off all contact with someone.
- The verb azotar, used for a forceful slam, is etymologically derived from the Arabic word as-sawṭ, meaning 'whip'.
- While cerrar de golpe means to slam something shut, the verb tirar is often used to translate 'to slam' even though it more commonly means 'to pull' or 'to throw'.
Examples in context
- Haz el favor de no dar un portazo al salir de la habitación.Please don't slam the door when you leave the room.This sentence shows how to use dar un portazo when asking someone not to slam a door.Tatoeba #11834112 by Seael, translation #11834107 by taylorbront
- cerrar la puerta de golpeTo slam the door
- dio un portazo al salirHe slammed the door when he left
- 1 more sentence on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Elena and Daniel are in their apartment when a storm begins.
- Elena¿Escuchaste eso? El viento empezó a azotar la ventana.Did you hear that? The wind started slamming the window.
- DanielSí, es muy fuerte. Voy a cerrarla bien.Yes, it is very strong. I will close it well.
- ElenaTen cuidado de no azotar la puerta al entrar.Be careful not to slam the door when you enter.
- DanielNo te preocupes, Elena, lo haré con cuidado.Don't worry, Elena, I will do it carefully.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “slam” translations and entries azotar, tirar, 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 azotar, cerrar, dar, de, golpe, portazo, tirar, un, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
