Inklingo

How to Say "flood" in Spanish

The most common Spanish word for “flood” is “inundación” — use this for a general overflow of water onto normally dry land, or figuratively for a large number of things arriving at once.

inundaciónA2

Use this for a general overflow of water onto normally dry land, or figuratively for a large number of things arriving at once.

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creciente🔊B1

Use this specifically to describe the rising water level of a river that may lead to flooding.

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avenida🔊C1

Use this to describe a powerful rush or inundation of water, often from melting snow or heavy rain.

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bombardeo🔊B2

Use this figuratively to describe being overwhelmed by a large quantity of something arriving all at once, like emails or requests.

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invasiónB2

Use this figuratively for a sudden, overwhelming, and often unwelcome arrival of a large number of people or things.

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marea🔊B2

Use this to describe a large, moving mass or flow of people or, less commonly, emotions.

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torrente🔊B2

Use this figuratively to describe a sudden, powerful, and often intense outpouring of emotions or abstract concepts.

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English → Spanish

inundación

nounA2general
Use this for a general overflow of water onto normally dry land, or figuratively for a large number of things arriving at once.

Examples

La inundación destruyó muchas casas cerca del río.

The flood destroyed many houses near the river.

creciente

kre-SYEN-tekɾeˈsjente

nounB1general
Use this specifically to describe the rising water level of a river that may lead to flooding.
A river overflowing its banks and covering the nearby grass.

Examples

La creciente del río inundó las calles.

The river's rise flooded the streets.

El símbolo de la bandera es un creciente y una estrella.

The symbol on the flag is a crescent and a star.

Debemos tener cuidado con la creciente esta noche.

We must be careful with the rising tide/flood tonight.

Gender Changes Meaning

Use 'la creciente' (feminine) when talking about a river rising or a flood. Use 'el creciente' (masculine) when talking about the curved shape.

Flood vs. Rain

Mistake: “Hay mucha creciente hoy.”

Correction: Hay mucha lluvia hoy. Use 'creciente' only to describe the water level rising in a river or lake, not the rain itself.

avenida

ah-veh-NEE-dahaβeˈniða

nounC1formal
Use this to describe a powerful rush or inundation of water, often from melting snow or heavy rain.
A dynamic illustration showing a sudden, forceful wave of blue water surging forward rapidly.

Examples

Tras el deshielo, hubo una avenida de agua que arrasó el valle.

After the thaw, there was a rush of water that swept through the valley.

bombardeo

bom-bar-DEH-ohbombarˈdeo

nounB2informal
Use this figuratively to describe being overwhelmed by a large quantity of something arriving all at once, like emails or requests.
A person standing as many colorful envelopes and speech bubbles rain down around them.

Examples

Sufro un bombardeo de correos todos los lunes.

I suffer a barrage of emails every Monday.

El bombardeo publicitario en las redes sociales es increíble.

The advertising onslaught on social media is incredible.

Los periodistas iniciaron un bombardeo de preguntas al ministro.

The journalists started a barrage of questions at the minister.

Using 'de'

Just like in English, use the word 'de' (of) after 'bombardeo' to specify what is overwhelming you (e.g., bombardeo de ideas).

Intensity Level

invasión

nounB2general
Use this figuratively for a sudden, overwhelming, and often unwelcome arrival of a large number of people or things.

Examples

Tuvimos una invasión de mosquitos en la casa de campo este verano.

We had an invasion of mosquitoes at the country house this summer.

marea

mah-REH-ahmaˈɾea

nounB2general
Use this to describe a large, moving mass or flow of people or, less commonly, emotions.
A thick, powerful ocean wave rushing aggressively and flowing over coastal rocks, demonstrating a surge.

Examples

Una marea de aficionados se dirigió al estadio después de la victoria.

A wave/flood of fans headed to the stadium after the victory.

Sintió una marea de tristeza al recordar su infancia.

She felt a surge of sadness remembering her childhood.

Figurative Use

When used figuratively, 'marea' emphasizes the overwhelming, often unstoppable nature of the group or emotion, much like a real tide.

torrente

toh-RREHN-tehtoˈrente

nounB2figurative
Use this figuratively to describe a sudden, powerful, and often intense outpouring of emotions or abstract concepts.
A massive pile of colorful letters and envelopes overflowing from a wooden mailbox.

Examples

Sintió un torrente de emociones al ver a su familia.

He felt a flood of emotions upon seeing his family.

Las medicinas entran directamente en el torrente sanguíneo.

The medicines enter directly into the bloodstream.

Ella soltó un torrente de palabras sin dejarme hablar.

She let out a rush of words without letting me speak.

Using 'de' for descriptions

To describe what kind of 'flood' it is, simply add 'de' followed by a noun, like 'torrente de insultos' (flood of insults).

Overusing 'río'

Mistake: “un río de emociones”

Correction: While understandable, 'torrente de emociones' sounds much more natural when describing a sudden, overwhelming feeling.

Literal vs. Figurative Use

The most common mistake is using a figurative term like 'bombardeo' or 'invasión' for a literal water flood, or vice versa. Remember that 'inundación' is the most general term for water, while the others are typically used for non-water related 'floods' or specific types of water events.

Related Translations

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