Inklingo

How to Say "burst" in Spanish

English → Spanish

ruptura

roop-TOO-rahrupˈtu.ɾa

nounA2
Use 'ruptura' when referring to the breaking or tearing of something solid, like a bone, a pipe, or a container.
A high quality illustration of a brightly colored ceramic plate lying on a wooden table, clearly split into two distinct, separated pieces.

Examples

El globo explotó con un sonido fuerte, pero no hubo ruptura de ningún objeto.

The balloon popped with a loud sound, but there was no burst of any object.

El doctor confirmó la ruptura del hueso.

The doctor confirmed the fracture of the bone.

Tuvimos que reparar la ruptura en la tubería de agua.

We had to repair the break in the water pipe.

Using 'rotura' vs 'ruptura'

Mistake: “Using 'rotura' for a relationship breakup.”

Correction: 'Rotura' is often preferred for simple physical breaks (like a broken glass), while 'ruptura' is used for bone fractures, ligament tears, and all figurative breaks (relationships, diplomacy, etc.).

ráfaga

nounB1
Choose 'ráfaga' for a sudden, brief occurrence, such as a gust of wind, a flash of light, or an intense, short-lived feeling or series of actions like gunfire.

Examples

Una ráfaga de risas interrumpió el silencio de la biblioteca.

A burst of laughter interrupted the silence of the library.

pop

pohppop

nounB1informal
Use 'pop' to describe the sharp, sudden sound made when something bursts or inflates quickly.
A red balloon bursting dramatically, with small pieces flying away, illustrating a sharp, sudden sound.

Examples

Escuchamos un pop cuando la bolsa de aire se infló.

We heard a pop when the airbag inflated.

Hizo un pop cuando abrimos la botella de cava.

It made a pop when we opened the bottle of sparkling wine.

Escuché el pop de los fuegos artificiales a lo lejos.

I heard the pop of the fireworks far away.

Sound Word

'Pop' is often used here as a way to write down the sound itself (an onomatopoeia), making it a very descriptive noun.

salva

SAHL-vahˈsalβa

nounB2
Employ 'salva' specifically for a sudden, unified outbreak of something, most commonly applause or cheers from a group.
A colorful storybook illustration showing three antique cannons firing simultaneously, creating large plumes of smoke.

Examples

El público estalló en una salva de aplausos al final de la presentación.

The audience erupted in a burst of applause at the end of the presentation.

Al final de la obra, el público rompió en una salva de aplausos.

At the end of the play, the audience broke into a burst of applause.

El barco disparó una salva en honor al presidente.

The ship fired a salute in honor of the president.

Feminine Noun

Remember this noun is always feminine, requiring 'la' or 'una'. (e.g., 'una salva fuerte').

Sound vs. Sudden Event

Learners often confuse 'pop' and 'ráfaga'. Remember that 'pop' refers specifically to the sound of bursting, while 'ráfaga' describes the sudden event itself, whether it's wind, light, emotion, or a series of actions like gunfire.

Related Translations

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