Inklingo

How to Say "blows" in Spanish

English → Spanish

sopla

/SOH-plah//ˈsopla/

verbA2
Use this word when referring to the movement of air, such as wind, or when someone is exhaling.
A young child pursing their lips and blowing a bright white dandelion seed head, with seeds floating in the air.

Examples

El viento sopla fuerte hoy.

The wind blows hard today.

El viento sopla muy fuerte esta tarde.

The wind blows very hard this afternoon.

Ella sopla las velas de su pastel.

She blows out the candles on her cake.

¡Sopla fuerte para inflar el globo!

Blow hard to inflate the balloon!

Double Identity

'Sopla' is both a statement ('he/she blows') and a direct command for a friend ('Blow!').

Blowing Out Candles

Mistake: “Using 'apagar' exclusively for candles.”

Correction: While 'apagar' (to turn off/extinguish) works, 'soplar' is the specific action used for birthday candles.

golpes

GOHL-pehs/ˈɡolpes/

nounA2
Use this noun to describe physical strikes or impacts, often from an external force like a weapon, a fall, or in sports.
A simple illustration showing a red boxing glove striking a blue boxing glove in mid-air, with motion lines indicating a forceful impact, symbolizing physical blows.

Examples

El boxeador recibió fuertes golpes.

The boxer received strong blows.

El árbol resistió los golpes del viento fuerte.

The tree resisted the blows from the strong wind.

Después de la pelea, tenía muchos golpes en el cuerpo.

After the fight, he had many bruises/hits on his body.

La empresa sufrió varios golpes financieros este año.

The company suffered several financial shocks this year.

Always Masculine

Remember that 'golpes' is a masculine plural noun, so any descriptive words (adjectives) you use with it must also be masculine and plural: 'golpes fuertes' (strong blows).

Using 'Golpes' for Bruises

Mistake: “Using 'golpes' to mean 'bruises' when the focus is the discoloration: 'Tengo un golpe azul.'”

Correction: While 'golpe' can mean the injury, 'moretón' is the common word for the bruise itself. Say: 'Tengo un moretón grande.' (I have a big bruise.)

palos

/PAH-lohs//ˈpalos/

nounB1informal
Use this noun when referring to hits, often implying a beating or a more severe physical punishment, sometimes with an object like a stick.
A thick brown wooden stick or club is shown mid-swing, indicated by simple movement lines against a plain background.

Examples

Le dieron palos por portarse mal.

They beat him for misbehaving.

Le dieron palos por intentar robar.

They gave him a beating for trying to steal. (They hit him.)

Recibió varios palos en la cabeza durante la pelea.

He received several blows to the head during the fight.

Using 'Dar' for Action

When talking about giving a blow or hit, Spanish often uses the verb 'dar' (to give): 'dar palos' (to give blows).

Air vs. Physical Impact

The most common mistake is confusing 'sopla' (air movement) with 'golpes' or 'palos' (physical hits). Remember that 'sopla' is for wind or breath, while 'golpes' and 'palos' refer to actual impacts on a person or object.

Related Translations

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