brotar
“brotar” means “to sprout” in Spanish. It has 3 different meanings depending on context:
to sprout
Also: to bud
📝 In Action
Las flores brotan en la primavera.
A1The flowers sprout in the spring.
Mira, los rosales ya están brotando.
A2Look, the rosebushes are already budding.
Las semillas que plantamos ayer todavía no han brotado.
B1The seeds we planted yesterday haven't sprouted yet.
to gush forth
Also: to flow
📝 In Action
El agua brota de la fuente con mucha fuerza.
B1The water gushes forth from the fountain with great force.
Las lágrimas brotaron de sus ojos cuando escuchó la noticia.
B1Tears flowed from her eyes when she heard the news.
to break out
Also: to arise
📝 In Action
Le brotó un sarpullido después de comer fresas.
B2A rash broke out on him after eating strawberries.
La violencia brotó en las calles durante la noche.
B2Violence broke out in the streets during the night.
Subjunctive
Imperfect Subjunctive
Present Subjunctive
Indicative
Preterite
Imperfect
Present
Translate to Spanish
✏️ Quick Practice
Quick Quiz: brotar
Question 1 of 3
Which sentence describes a plant starting to grow?
📚 More Resources
👥 Word Family▼
📚 Etymology▼
From the Gothic word 'brut', which means a sprout or bud. It shares a history with the German 'Brust' and English 'bud'.
First recorded: 13th century
Cognates (Related words)
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Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use 'brotar' for a person being born?
No, for people and animals, we always use 'nacer'. 'Brotar' is strictly for plants, liquids, and the sudden appearance of things like rashes or problems.
What is the difference between 'brotar' and 'salir'?
'Salir' just means 'to come out'. 'Brotar' is much more descriptive; it implies a natural process of emerging or a sudden bursting forth.
Is it used for ideas?
Yes! You can say 'Las ideas brotan' to describe having a sudden rush of creative thoughts.