detonar
“detonar” means “to detonate” in Spanish. It has 2 different meanings depending on context:
to detonate
Also: to set off, to explode
📝 In Action
Los expertos decidieron detonar la bomba de forma controlada.
B1The experts decided to detonate the bomb in a controlled manner.
Un fallo eléctrico detonó la carga accidentalmente.
B2An electrical failure detonated the charge accidentally.
Ten cuidado, cualquier chispa puede detonar el gas.
B2Be careful, any spark can set off the gas.
to trigger
Also: to spark, to set off
📝 In Action
Sus palabras detonaron una fuerte discusión en la cena.
B2His words triggered a heated argument at dinner.
La subida de impuestos detonó las protestas en la capital.
C1The tax hike sparked protests in the capital.
El despido del gerente detonó una crisis dentro de la empresa.
B2The firing of the manager set off a crisis within the company.
🔄 Conjugations
subjunctive
imperfect
present
indicative
preterite
imperfect
present
✏️ Quick Practice
Quick Quiz: detonar
Question 1 of 3
Which sentence uses 'detonar' in a figurative sense?
📚 More Resources
👥 Word Family▼
📚 Etymology▼
From the Latin verb 'detonare,' which means 'to thunder down.' It combines 'de-' (down/thoroughly) and 'tonare' (to thunder).
First recorded: 17th century
Cognates (Related words)
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is 'detonar' the same as 'explotar'?
Not exactly. 'Explotar' is the general word for 'to explode' (like a balloon or a volcano). 'Detonar' is more technical and usually refers to an intentional act of setting off a device or a specific event triggering a reaction.
Is 'detonar' a regular verb?
Yes! It follows all the regular conjugation patterns for verbs ending in -ar.
What is a 'detonante'?
It is the noun form used to describe the 'trigger' or the 'straw that broke the camel's back' in a situation (e.g., 'El detonante de la guerra fue...').