alardear
“alardear” means “to boast” in Spanish (talking about one's achievements or possessions).
to boast, to brag
Also: to show off
📝 In Action
No es bueno alardear de cuánto dinero ganas.
B1It's not good to boast about how much money you earn.
Él siempre alardea de su coche nuevo ante sus amigos.
B1He is always bragging about his new car to his friends.
Ella alardeó de haber terminado el maratón en tres horas.
B2She boasted about having finished the marathon in three hours.
Subjunctive
Imperfect Subjunctive
Present Subjunctive
Indicative
Preterite
Imperfect
Present
✏️ Quick Practice
Quick Quiz: alardear
Question 1 of 3
Which word usually follows 'alardear' when you mention what you are bragging about?
📚 More Resources
👥 Word Family▼
📚 Etymology▼
Comes from the Arabic word 'al-’arḍ', which means 'the review' or 'the parade'. Originally, it referred to military parades where soldiers displayed their strength.
First recorded: 15th century
Cognates (Related words)
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is 'alardear' a bad thing?
Generally, yes. It implies that someone is being a bit arrogant or annoying by showing off too much.
What is the difference between 'alardear' and 'presumir'?
They are very similar. 'Presumir' can also mean to show off, but it can sometimes mean 'to suppose' or 'to look stylish' in certain contexts. 'Alardear' is specifically about boasting.
Can I use 'alardear' in a formal essay?
Yes, it is a perfectly standard word, though in very formal writing you might use 'jactarse'.