Inklingo

How to Say "to flood" in Spanish

English → Spanish

inundar

/ee-noon-DAHR//inunˈdaɾ/

verbB1general
Use 'inundar' when referring to water covering a large area, such as a city, a house, or a field due to overflowing rivers, heavy rain, or other water sources.
A small blue house partially submerged in water with a few green trees poking out.

Examples

Las lluvias torrenciales causaron que el río inundara los pueblos cercanos.

The torrential rains caused the river to flood the nearby towns.

El río se desbordó e inundó toda la ciudad.

The river overflowed and flooded the entire city.

Si dejas el grifo abierto, vas a inundar el baño.

If you leave the tap open, you are going to flood the bathroom.

Las fuertes lluvias suelen inundar los pasos subterráneos.

Heavy rains often flood the underpasses.

Using 'Inundarse'

Add 'se' to the end (inundarse) when you want to say something is 'getting flooded' on its own rather than someone doing the flooding.

Flooded 'With' Something

When you want to say what is causing the flood, use the word 'de' (of/with). For example: 'inundado de agua' (flooded with water).

Flooded vs. Full

Mistake: “La cocina está inundada de comida.”

Correction: La cocina está llena de comida. (Use 'inundar' only when it's overwhelming like a wave; otherwise, use 'lleno' for just being full).

ahogar

/ah-oh-GAR//aoˈɡaɾ/

verbB2general
Use 'ahogar' in a figurative sense, meaning to stifle or suppress something, like a sound, an emotion, or an engine being overwhelmed, but NOT for literal flooding with water.
A person holding a fluffy pillow over a ringing alarm to quiet the noise.

Examples

Intentó ahogar sus preocupaciones con trabajo extra.

He tried to drown his worries with extra work.

Ella intentó ahogar un sollozo para que nadie la oyeran.

She tried to stifle a sob so no one would hear her.

Las deudas están ahogando a la pequeña empresa.

Debts are overwhelming the small business.

Creo que has ahogado el motor al intentar arrancarlo.

I think you've flooded the engine trying to start it.

Figurative Drowning

Just like in English, you can 'drown' in work or debt. In Spanish, we use 'ahogarse' for that feeling of being trapped by pressure.

Confusing Water Flooding with Stifling

Learners often incorrectly use 'ahogar' for physical flooding with water. Remember, 'ahogar' means to drown or stifle, like an engine or a sound, while 'inundar' specifically refers to water overwhelming an area.

Related Translations

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