How to Say "setting off" in Spanish
The most common Spanish word for “setting off” is “disparando” — use 'disparando' when 'setting off' means causing a rapid increase or reaction, often with negative consequences, like prices or alarms..
disparando
dis-pah-RAHN-doh/dis.paˈɾan.do/
Examples
La huelga está disparando los precios de los alimentos.
The strike is causing food prices to skyrocket.
La nueva demanda está disparando los precios de la vivienda en la capital.
The new demand is causing housing prices in the capital to skyrocket.
El humo estaba disparando la alarma de incendios del edificio.
The smoke was triggering the building's fire alarm.
Causative Use
In this sense, 'disparando' means 'making something happen' or 'causing a sudden change.' It often links an action (the subject) to the result (the object, usually prices or alarms).
Literal Translation
Mistake: “Translating 'disparando los precios' as 'shooting the prices'.”
Correction: The figurative meaning is 'causing prices to rise sharply' or 'skyrocketing them'.
partida
par-TEE-dah/paɾˈtiða/
Examples
La partida hacia el sur será mañana temprano.
The departure for the south will be early tomorrow.
La hora de partida del autobús es a las 6:00 a.m.
The bus's departure time is 6:00 a.m.
Anunciaron la partida del vuelo con veinte minutos de retraso.
They announced the flight's departure with a twenty-minute delay.
Mixing up 'Partida' and 'Salida'
Mistake: “Using 'La partida' when talking about the exit door or location.”
Correction: 'Salida' is generally used for the physical exit or the most common word for departure. 'Partida' often emphasizes the moment of starting a long journey.
Journey vs. Reaction
Related Translations
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