Inklingo
← Dictionary

detonador

deh-toh-nah-DOHR/detonaˈðoɾ/

“detonador” means “detonator” in Spanish. It has 2 different meanings depending on context:

detonator

Also: blasting cap, fuse
NounmB2
A small metal blasting cap with wires attached, lying on a wooden crate.

📝 In Action

El experto conectó el detonador a la carga de dinamita.

B2

The expert connected the detonator to the dynamite charge.

Encontraron un detonador remoto en la zona de construcción.

B2

They found a remote detonator in the construction zone.

Nunca toques un detonador si lo encuentras en el suelo.

A2

Never touch a detonator if you find one on the ground.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • cebo (primer/fuse)
  • estopín (blasting cap)

Common Collocations

  • detonador a distancia – remote detonator
  • activar el detonador – to activate the detonator

trigger

Also: catalyst, spark
NounmC1
A single falling domino starting a long chain reaction of many other standing dominoes.

📝 In Action

Ese pequeño incidente fue el detonador de la huelga general.

C1

That small incident was the trigger for the general strike.

Sus palabras actuaron como un detonador para la discusión familiar.

B2

His words acted as a spark for the family argument.

La crisis económica fue el principal detonador de las protestas.

C1

The economic crisis was the main catalyst for the protests.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • desencadenante (trigger/cause)
  • catalizador (catalyst)

Antonyms

Common Collocations

  • factor detonador – triggering factor
  • elemento detonador – detonating element

Translate to Spanish

Words that translate to "detonador" in Spanish:

blasting cap→catalyst→detonator→fuse→spark→trigger→

✏️ Quick Practice

Quick Quiz: detonador

Question 1 of 3

If a political speech causes a riot to start immediately, the speech was the:

📚 More Resources

👥 Word Family▼
detonar(to detonate/explode) — Verb
detonación(detonation/blast) — Noun
detonante(triggering/explosive) — Adjective
🎵 Rhymes▼
📚 Etymology▼

Derived from the Spanish verb 'detonar', which comes from the Latin 'detonare' (to thunder down). The suffix '-dor' is added to indicate a tool or the person performing the action.

First recorded: 19th century

Cognates (Related words)

English: detonatorFrench: détonateur

💡 Master Spanish

Take your Spanish to the next level. Read 200+ illustrated and narrated Spanish stories tailored to your level with the Inklingo app!

Frequently Asked Questions

Is 'detonador' the same as 'gatillo'?

No. 'Gatillo' is the trigger of a firearm you pull with your finger. 'Detonador' is the explosive device or the metaphorical spark of an event.

Can I use 'detonadora' for a woman?

Rarely. While '-dor' words can often become feminine for people (like 'trabajador'/'trabajadora'), 'detonador' is almost exclusively used for objects or events.

Is this a common word in daily conversation?

It's medium-frequency. You won't use it to buy bread, but you'll hear it constantly in movies, books, and news reports.