How to Say "to expand" in Spanish
The most common Spanish word for “to expand” is “ampliar” — use 'ampliar' when you want to make something physically larger in size, scope, or extent, such as a room or a garden.
ampliar
ahm-plee-AHRamˈpljaɾ
Examples
Vamos a ampliar la casa para tener más espacio.
We are going to enlarge the house to have more space.
Queremos ampliar la cocina el próximo año.
We want to enlarge the kitchen next year.
He ampliado esta foto para ver mejor los detalles.
I have enlarged this photo to see the details better.
La empresa quiere ampliar su mercado a otros países.
The company wants to expand its market to other countries.
The Hidden Accent Mark
Even though it looks like a normal '-ar' verb, the 'i' gets a little hat (accent mark) in many present tense forms to show that it's the strongest sound in the word, like in 'yo amplío'.
Making Things Bigger
Use this verb whenever something physically grows in size or when you are adding space to a building.
The Missing Accent
Mistake: “Yo amplio la imagen.”
Correction: Yo amplío la imagen. (Without the accent, it sounds like 'AM-plio' instead of the correct 'am-PLEE-oh'.)
expandir
eks-pan-DEERekspanˈdiɾ
Examples
El gas se expande cuando se calienta.
The gas expands when it is heated.
El calor hace que el metal se expanda.
Heat causes metal to expand.
Necesitamos expandir nuestro taller porque no hay espacio.
We need to expand our workshop because there is no space.
El universo se está expandiendo constantemente.
The universe is constantly expanding.
When to add 'se'
Use 'expandirse' when something gets bigger on its own (like a balloon or a gas). Use 'expandir' when someone is actively making something bigger.
Don't confuse with 'expander'
Mistake: “Yo expando el negocio.”
Correction: This is correct, but many learners try to say 'expando' using 'er' endings. Remember it's an 'ir' verb: expandimos, not expandemos.
crecer
kreh-SEHRkɾeˈseɾ
Examples
La empresa espera crecer un 10% este año.
The company expects to grow by 10% this year.
La demanda de energía solar ha crecido exponencialmente.
The demand for solar energy has grown exponentially.
El nivel del agua creció tras la tormenta.
The water level rose after the storm.
desplegar
des-play-GARdespleˈɡaɾ
Examples
Por favor, despliegue el menú para ver las opciones.
Please unfold the menu to see the options.
Tuvimos que desplegar el mapa para encontrar el camino.
We had to unfold the map to find the way.
El pájaro desplegó sus alas y voló.
The bird spread its wings and flew.
Haz clic aquí para desplegar el menú de opciones.
Click here to expand the options menu.
The 'E' to 'IE' Change
In many forms, the 'e' in the middle of the word changes to 'ie' when it's the part of the word you emphasize (like 'yo despliego').
Spelling Change in the Past
In the 'yo' form of the past tense, the 'g' becomes 'gu' (desplegué) to keep the hard 'g' sound.
Forgetting the 'i'
Mistake: “Yo desplego el mapa.”
Correction: Yo despliego el mapa. (The 'e' needs to change to 'ie' in the present tense).
General vs. Specific Expansion
Related Translations
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