Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| rociar | /roˈθjaɾ/ /roθiˈaɾ/ |
|
| atomizar | /atomiˈθaɾ/ /atomiˈsaɾ/ |
|
| asperger | /aspeɾxeɾ/ (from spelling rules) | |
| espreyar | /espɾeʝaɾ/ (from spelling rules) | US, masculine |
The verb forms are used to describe the action of projecting a liquid in a dispersed manner. While rociar is the most common and versatile way to say spray or sprinkle, different contexts require different words. For example, if you are talking about pest control or agriculture, you might use fumigar to describe spraying substances to eliminate pests. When referring to a commercial product (noun), you can use spray, espray or bote de spray for the container. If you are describing a fine, gentle, dispersed mist of liquid (noun), you can use spray, aerosol or difusión.
Which one should you use?
rociar is the most common and versatile verb for spraying or sprinkling a liquid. atomizar is used specifically when referring to the technical process of breaking a liquid into extremely fine particles or a mist. espreyar is a colloquialism used to mean spray.
Is it said differently in some regions?
espreyar is a colloquialism used primarily by Spanish speakers in the United States, derived from the English word 'spray'.
Related words
How do you pronounce it?
/roˈθjaɾ/
Did you know?
- In a religious context, asperger is the specific term used for the ritual sprinkling of holy water. Using rociar in a church ceremony would sound too casual or domestic.
- The verb rociar shares a common ancestor with the English word 'rosy' or the concept of 'dew'. It comes from the Latin 'roscidus', which describes something covered in moist droplets.
- In some Spanish-speaking countries, fumigar is used as a colloquial way to describe a deep clean or professional disinfection of an entire building, not just the act of spraying pesticides.
Examples in context
- ¿Me pasas el atomizador de insecticida, por favor?Can you hand me the insecticide spray bottle, please?
- El agricultor pulverizó el cultivo con insecticida.The farmer sprayed the crop with insecticide.
- El exterminador fumigó la casa contra las termitas.The exterminator sprayed the house to eliminate termites.
- Debes rociar el perfume en tu piel.You should spray the perfume on your skin.
- Voy a rociar las plantas con agua.I am going to spray the plants with water.
- No olvides rociar el insecticida en el jardín.Don't forget to spray the insecticide in the garden.
Example conversation
Lucía and Mateo are cleaning the house together.
- Lucía¿Puedes rociar el limpiador sobre la mesa?Can you spray the cleaner on the table?
- MateoSí, Lucía, ahora mismo lo hago.Yes, Lucía, I will do it right now.
- LucíaGracias, Mateo, la mesa está muy sucia.Thanks, Mateo, the table is very dirty.
- MateoNo te preocupes, quedará limpia.Don't worry, it will be clean.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “spray” translations and entries rociar, atomizar, 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 atomizar, rociar, CC BY-SA 4.0.
