extenderse
/eɡstendeɾse/from spelling rules
The Spanish word for the spreading (noun) is extenderse.
extenderse refers to the act by which something spreads itself. Depending on the context, other verbs are more appropriate: use untar for spreading substances like butter or jam and use difundir for the act of spreading information, ideas, news or rumors.
Meaning: act by which something is spread (noun)
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Argentina, Uruguay and Paraguay, the verb esparcir may be replaced with esparcear.
How does it change in a sentence?
extenderse is a reflexive verb used to describe the act of something spreading itself, such as a disease or a rumor. The third-person singular present indicative form is se extiende (it spreads), and the third-person singular preterite form is se extendió (it spread) to describe a completed act of spreading in the past.
How do you pronounce it?
/eɡstendeɾse/
Did you know?
- While untar means 'spreading' food, it is also used colloquially in some regions to mean 'to bribe' someone by 'greasing' their palms.
- The reflexive form extenderse is used not only for the 'spreading' of a disease, but also when a person takes up too much space or time during a speech.
- To say someone is 'spreading' themselves too thin, Spanish speakers often use the phrase no poder abarcar todo, which focuses on the inability to 'embrace' or 'cover' everything.
Examples in context
- Puedes untar mantequilla en el pan.You can spread butter on the bread.
- Juan difundió la noticia entre sus amigos.Juan spread the news among his friends.
- La organización humanitaria difundió información sobre la campaña en varios medios.The humanitarian organization spread information about the campaign through various media outlets.
- El fuego se extiende rápidamente.The fire is spreading rapidly.
- La noticia se extendió por toda la ciudad.The news spread throughout the whole city.
- El rumor empezó a extenderse por la oficina.The rumor began to spread through the office.
- Vemos cómo el fuego tiende a extenderse rápido.We see how the fire tends to spread quickly.
Example conversation
Daniel and Lucía are discussing a forest fire on the news.
- DanielMira el extenderse del incendio en el mapa.Look at the spreading of the fire on the map.
- LucíaEs terrible, Lucía está muy preocupada.It is terrible, Lucía is very worried.
- DanielEl viento ayuda al extenderse de las llamas.The wind helps the spreading of the flames.
- LucíaEspero que los bomberos lo controlen pronto.I hope the firefighters control it soon.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry extenderse, 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.
