How to Say "to explode" in Spanish
The most common Spanish word for “to explode” is “explotar” — use this for a general, physical explosion, often of something like a bomb or a device.
explotar
eks-plo-TAReks.ploˈtaɾ
Examples
La bomba explotó en el edificio abandonado.
The bomb exploded in the abandoned building.
El neumático explotó por la presión del aire.
The tire burst due to the air pressure.
Vimos que el volcán estaba a punto de explotar.
We saw that the volcano was about to erupt (explode).
Using 'explotar' as an event
When 'explotar' describes a sudden event, like a bomb going off, it usually works like other action verbs: 'El gas explotó' (The gas exploded).
estallar
es-ta-yares.taˈʎaɾ
Examples
La bomba estalló a medianoche, causando mucho pánico.
The bomb exploded at midnight, causing a lot of panic.
El globo estalló cuando lo infló demasiado.
The balloon burst when he inflated it too much.
Regular -AR Verb
Estallar is a straightforward regular verb, meaning its endings follow the standard pattern for all verbs ending in -ar.
reventar
re-ben-TARreβenˈtaɾ
Examples
El globo se reventó de repente.
The balloon burst suddenly.
Las tuberías pueden reventar por el frío.
The pipes can burst because of the cold.
Si inflas demasiado la rueda, va a reventar.
If you inflate the tire too much, it's going to pop.
The 'e to ie' Spelling Change
For this word, the 'e' in the middle changes to 'ie' when you stress it (I burst = reviento), but stays as 'e' when the stress is at the end (we burst = reventamos).
Forgetting the spelling change
Mistake: “Yo revento el globo.”
Correction: Yo reviento el globo. (Remember to change the 'e' to 'ie' in the present tense!)
volar
boh-LAHRboˈlaɾ
Examples
La policía voló la puerta para entrar a la casa.
The police blew up the door to enter the house.
El edificio voló por una fuga de gas.
The building exploded due to a gas leak.
Transitive vs. Intransitive
'Volar' can be used to describe both causing an explosion (transitive: 'Ellos volaron la pared') and the resulting explosion itself (intransitive: 'La pared voló').
detonar
deh-toh-NAHRdetoˈnaɾ
Examples
Los expertos decidieron detonar la bomba de forma controlada.
The experts decided to detonate the bomb in a controlled manner.
Un fallo eléctrico detonó la carga accidentalmente.
An electrical failure detonated the charge accidentally.
Ten cuidado, cualquier chispa puede detonar el gas.
Be careful, any spark can set off the gas.
Using 'detonar' with objects
This verb usually needs something to receive the action. You detonate something (like a bomb or a device).
Regular -ar Pattern
Good news! This verb follows the standard rules for all -ar verbs. It has no hidden spelling changes.
Detonar vs. Explotar
Mistake: “La bomba detonó por sí sola.”
Correction: La bomba explotó por sí sola.
saltar
sahl-TAHRsalˈtaɾ
Examples
Cuando abrí la caja, una araña me saltó a la cara.
When I opened the box, a spider sprang out at my face.
La alarma de incendios saltó sin motivo aparente.
The fire alarm went off for no apparent reason.
Cuando le preguntaron por su ex, él saltó con un comentario brusco.
When they asked him about his ex, he flared up with a sharp comment.
pete
peh-tehˈpete
Examples
Espero que mi ordenador no pete hoy.
I hope my computer doesn't crash today.
Ojalá que tu nueva canción lo pete en Spotify.
I hope your new song makes it big on Spotify.
¡Que pete todo!
Let it all blow up! / Let it all happen!
The 'Pete' Form
In this context, 'pete' is the special form of the verb 'petar' used when you are expressing a wish, a doubt, or using the word 'ojalá' (I hope).
Indicative vs Subjunctive
Mistake: “Espero que esto peta.”
Correction: Espero que esto pete.
General vs. Specific Explosion
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