Inklingo

How to Say "to inflame" in Spanish

The most common Spanish word for “to inflame” is “incendiar” — use 'incendiar' when describing how to make a situation, argument, or emotions more intense or heated, often in a figurative sense..

English → Spanish

incendiar

/een-sen-dyahr//inθenˈdjaɾ/

verbB2general
Use 'incendiar' when describing how to make a situation, argument, or emotions more intense or heated, often in a figurative sense.
An angry person standing on a soapbox with a megaphone, gesturing passionately to a crowd.

Examples

Sus declaraciones incendiaron las redes sociales.

His statements set social media on fire.

El discurso del candidato incendió a la multitud.

The candidate's speech fired up the crowd.

No publiques eso si no quieres incendiar el debate.

Don't post that if you don't want to inflame the debate.

Figurative Fire

Just like in English where we say something 'went viral' or 'is a hot topic', Spanish uses 'incendiar' to describe something that causes a massive, rapid emotional reaction.

irritar

/ee-ree-TAR//iriˈtaɾ/

verbB1general
Use 'irritar' when referring to a physical or medical reaction that causes discomfort, redness, or sensitivity.
A close up of a person's arm showing a patch of red, bumpy skin.

Examples

El cloro de la piscina me irrita los ojos.

The chlorine in the pool irritates my eyes.

Esta crema puede irritar la piel sensible.

This cream can irritate sensitive skin.

Si te rascas mucho, te vas a irritar la herida.

If you scratch a lot, you're going to inflame the wound.

Body Parts

In Spanish, we don't say 'my eyes' with this verb. Instead, we say 'me irrita los ojos' (it irritates to-me the eyes).

Confusion with 'picar'

Mistake: “Using 'irritar' for an itch.”

Correction: If your skin is itchy, use 'picar'. If it's red, sore, or inflamed, use 'irritar'.

Figurative vs. Literal 'Inflame'

Learners often confuse 'incendiar' and 'irritar' by using the word for emotional or social escalation ('incendiar') when they mean a physical reaction, or vice versa. Remember 'incendiar' is for heated situations and 'irritar' is for physical discomfort.

Related Translations

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