gritar
/ɡɾiˈtaɾ/
The English phrase 'yell' is translated into Spanish as gritar. Wiktionary also lists vociferar and vocear.
Meaning: shout (verb) (verb)
Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA |
|---|---|
| gritar | /ɡɾiˈtaɾ/ |
| vociferar | /boθifeˈɾaɾ/ /bosifeˈɾaɾ/ |
| vocear | /boθeˈaɾ/ /boseˈaɾ/ |
| gritonear | /ɡɾitoneaɾ/ (from spelling rules) |
| huchear | /ut͡ʃeˈaɾ/ |
The primary way to express the act of yelling is through the verb gritar. If you wish to refer to the act itself as a noun, you can use grito, which is the noun form of the most common verb. Other related nouns include vociferación and gritoneo.
Which one should you use?
While gritar is the most common and versatile way to say 'to yell' or 'to shout' in almost any context, other forms offer specific nuances. Vociferar implies a more intense, loud and often vehement or public way of shouting. Vocear is used when someone is shouting to announce something or to call out to people in a public space, such as a street vendor. The term chillar is used informally to describe shrill or high-pitched yelling or screaming.
Related words
How do you pronounce it?
/ɡɾiˈtaɾ/
Did you know?
- While gritar means 'to yell', the word grito is central to Mexican history through the 'Grito de Dolores', the famous shout that started the war of independence.
- In many Spanish-speaking countries, street vendors use vocear to create a rhythmic, melodic call called a 'pregón' to attract customers.
- The verb chillar is used not only for people but also to describe the high-pitched sound of tires braking or a tea kettle boiling.
Examples in context
- Yanni empezó a gritar a Skura.Yanni started to yell at Skura.Tatoeba #9996486 by manufrutos, translation #9995534 by Amastan
- Por favor, no grites durante la reuniónPlease, do not yell during the meeting
- Mi jefe me gritó por llegar tardeMy boss yelled at me for being late
- Juan vociferó cuando se dio cuenta de que había perdido su billeteraJuan yelled when he realized he had lost his wallet
- ¡No vociferen tanto, por favor! Estamos en un restauranteDon't yell so much, please! We are in a restaurant
- Los niños estaban chillando de emoción en el parque de diversionesThe children were yelling with excitement at the amusement park
- No dejes de gritar.Don't stop shouting.
- Ella empezó a gritar de la emoción.She started to shout from excitement.
Example conversation
Javier and Sofía are at a loud concert.
- Sofía¿Puedes gritar mi nombre?Can you shout my name?
- Javier¡Claro, Sofía!Of course, Sofía!
- Javier¡Sofía, aquí estoy!Sofía, I am here!
- Sofía¡Gracias, Javier!Thanks, Javier!
Sources
- Wiktionary, “yell” translations and entries gritar, vociferar, vocear, 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.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
