vandalizar
/bandaliθaɾ/from spelling rules
The Spanish word for 'vandalize' is vandalizar.
In more specific or informal contexts, you might use rayar to describe vandalizing through scratching or etching or pintarrajear when referring specifically to vandalizing through graffiti or painting on surfaces without permission.
How does it change in a sentence?
The noun form of this verb is vandalismo, which means 'vandalism'.
How do you pronounce it?
/bandaliθaɾ/
Did you know?
- In some Spanish-speaking regions, rayar is used as slang to describe someone who is obsessed or acting crazy, moving far beyond the literal meaning of scratching a surface.
- The word vándalo is not just a general term for a criminal, but is named after the Vandals, a Germanic tribe that famously sacked Rome in 455 AD.
- Spanish distinguishes between grafiti, which can be viewed as an art form, and pintarrajear, which implies low-quality or mindless vandalism.
Examples in context
- Los vándalos dañaron el monumento histórico.The vandals vandalized the historical monument.
- Los vándalos destrozaron el mural de la plaza.The vandals vandalized the mural in the square.
- Alguien rayó mi automóvil en la calle.Someone vandalized my car on the street.
- Los jóvenes pintarrajearon las paredes del edificio.The youth vandalized the walls of the building.
- Vandalizaron el monumento.They vandalized the monument.
- Intentaron vandalizar la estatua antigua.They tried to vandalize the ancient statue.
- Es ilegal vandalizar la propiedad privada.It is illegal to vandalize private property.
Example conversation
Sofía and Javier are walking past a wall covered in graffiti.
- SofíaMira cómo quisieron vandalizar este muro.Look how they wanted to vandalize this wall.
- JavierEs horrible que la gente haga eso.It's horrible that people do that.
- SofíaTardarán mucho tiempo en limpiar todo.It will take them a long time to clean everything.
- JavierSí, no deberían vandalizar la ciudad así.Yes, they shouldn't vandalize the city like that.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries vandalizar, CC BY-SA 4.0.
