How to Say "to inflate" in Spanish
The most common Spanish word for “to inflate” is “inflar” — use 'inflar' when you are filling something with air or gas, such as balloons or tires, or when referring to the artificial increase of prices or statistics..
inflar
/een-FLAHR//inˈflaɾ/
Examples
Necesito inflar los globos para la fiesta de cumpleaños.
I need to blow up the balloons for the birthday party.
Papá está inflando las ruedas de la bicicleta.
Dad is inflating the bicycle tires.
Es más rápido inflar el colchón con una bomba eléctrica.
It's faster to inflate the mattress with an electric pump.
La tienda infló los precios antes del Black Friday.
The store inflated the prices before Black Friday.
A Friendly Regular Verb
Inflar follows the standard pattern for -ar verbs. If you know how to conjugate 'hablar,' you already know how to conjugate 'inflar'!
Abstract Inflation
Just like in English, you can use the same word for air and for numbers. It's a direct conceptual bridge!
Inflar vs. Soplar
Mistake: “Soplo el globo.”
Correction: Inflo el globo. Use 'soplar' for the action of blowing air out of your mouth, but 'inflar' for the result of filling an object up.
Literal Translation of 'Exaggerate'
Mistake: “Él infla sus cuentos.”
Correction: While 'inflar' works, 'exagerar' is often more precise if you are talking about lying or making a story better than it was.
inflar
/een-FLAHR//inˈflaɾ/
Examples
La tienda infló los precios antes del Black Friday.
The store inflated the prices before Black Friday.
Necesito inflar los globos para la fiesta de cumpleaños.
I need to blow up the balloons for the birthday party.
Papá está inflando las ruedas de la bicicleta.
Dad is inflating the bicycle tires.
Es más rápido inflar el colchón con una bomba eléctrica.
It's faster to inflate the mattress with an electric pump.
A Friendly Regular Verb
Inflar follows the standard pattern for -ar verbs. If you know how to conjugate 'hablar,' you already know how to conjugate 'inflar'!
Abstract Inflation
Just like in English, you can use the same word for air and for numbers. It's a direct conceptual bridge!
Inflar vs. Soplar
Mistake: “Soplo el globo.”
Correction: Inflo el globo. Use 'soplar' for the action of blowing air out of your mouth, but 'inflar' for the result of filling an object up.
Literal Translation of 'Exaggerate'
Mistake: “Él infla sus cuentos.”
Correction: While 'inflar' works, 'exagerar' is often more precise if you are talking about lying or making a story better than it was.
bombear
/bom-beh-ahr//bom.beˈaɾ/
Examples
El corazón se encarga de bombear sangre a todo el cuerpo.
The heart is responsible for pumping blood to the whole body.
Necesitamos bombear el agua fuera del sótano inundado.
We need to pump the water out of the flooded basement.
Estaba bombeando aire en la rueda de la bicicleta.
I was pumping air into the bicycle tire.
A Fully Regular Verb
This verb follows the standard pattern for all '-ar' verbs. If you know how to conjugate 'hablar', you can conjugate 'bombear' perfectly.
Using it with Objects
When you use this verb, you usually need to say WHAT is being pumped (like water or air) right after the word.
Inflar vs. Bombear
Mistake: “Using 'bombear' for the general act of blowing up a balloon with your mouth.”
Correction: Use 'inflar' for mouth-blowing. Use 'bombear' only when a mechanical device or a pumping motion is involved.
Inflar vs. Bombear
Related Translations
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