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inflar

een-FLAHR/inˈflaɾ/

“inflar” means “to inflate” in Spanish. It has 2 different meanings depending on context:

to inflate

Also: to blow up
VerbA2regular ar
A person blowing air into a bright red balloon.
gerundinflando
past Participleinflado
infinitiveinflar

📝 In Action

Necesito inflar los globos para la fiesta de cumpleaños.

A1

I need to blow up the balloons for the birthday party.

Papá está inflando las ruedas de la bicicleta.

A2

Dad is inflating the bicycle tires.

Es más rápido inflar el colchón con una bomba eléctrica.

B1

It's faster to inflate the mattress with an electric pump.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • hinchar (to swell/blow up)

Antonyms

  • desinflar (to deflate)

Common Collocations

  • inflar un globo – to blow up a balloon
  • inflar una llanta – to pump up a tire

to inflate

Also: to exaggerate
VerbB2regular ar
A single loaf of bread sitting on top of a very large, growing pile of golden coins.
gerundinflando
past Participleinflado
infinitiveinflar

📝 In Action

La tienda infló los precios antes del Black Friday.

B2

The store inflated the prices before Black Friday.

Siempre infla sus historias para parecer más interesante.

B2

He always exaggerates his stories to seem more interesting.

El candidato fue criticado por inflar su currículum.

C1

The candidate was criticized for padding (inflating) his resume.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • exagerar (to exaggerate)
  • abultar (to bulk up)

Antonyms

Common Collocations

  • inflar los precios – to inflate prices
  • inflar las estadísticas – to inflate statistics

Idioms & Expressions

  • inflar a alguien a golpes – to beat someone up severely

🔄 Conjugations

subjunctive

imperfect

ellos/ellas/ustedesinflaran
yoinflara
túinflaras
vosotrosinflarais
nosotrosinfláramos
él/ella/ustedinflara

present

ellos/ellas/ustedesinflen
yoinfle
túinfles
vosotrosinfléis
nosotrosinflemos
él/ella/ustedinfle

indicative

preterite

ellos/ellas/ustedesinflaron
yoinflé
túinflaste
vosotrosinflasteis
nosotrosinflamos
él/ella/ustedinfló

imperfect

ellos/ellas/ustedesinflaban
yoinflaba
túinflabas
vosotrosinflabais
nosotrosinflábamos
él/ella/ustedinflaba

present

ellos/ellas/ustedesinflan
yoinflo
túinflas
vosotrosinfláis
nosotrosinflamos
él/ella/ustedinfla
View All Tenses & Moods →

Translate to Spanish

Words that translate to "inflar" in Spanish:

to exaggerate→to inflate→

✏️ Quick Practice

Quick Quiz: inflar

Question 1 of 3

Which verb form would you use for 'I inflate'?

📚 More Resources

👥 Word Family▼
inflable(inflatable) — Adjective
inflación(inflation) — Noun
inflador(air pump) — Noun
desinflar(to deflate) — Verb
🎵 Rhymes▼
📚 Etymology▼

From Latin 'inflare', which combines 'in' (into) and 'flare' (to blow).

First recorded: 13th century

Cognates (Related words)

English: inflateFrench: enfler

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is 'inflar' a regular verb?

Yes, it is completely regular in all tenses, following the pattern of verbs like 'hablar'.

Can I use 'inflar' for body parts, like a swollen ankle?

Usually, for body parts, we use 'hinchar' or 'inflamar' (to become inflamed) rather than 'inflar'.

What is the opposite of 'inflar'?

The opposite is 'desinflar', which means to let the air out or deflate.