Inklingo

How to Say "to leak" in Spanish

The most common Spanish word for “to leak” is “irse” — use this when liquids or gases are escaping from a container or pipe, often implying a gradual loss.

irse🔊B1

Use this when liquids or gases are escaping from a container or pipe, often implying a gradual loss.

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correr🔊A2

Use this when a liquid is flowing or running out of a container or from a source, emphasizing movement.

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filtrar🔊B2

Use this specifically when confidential information or documents are unofficially revealed or passed on.

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divulgar🔊B2

Use this when secrets or private information are shared or spread, often intentionally.

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fugar🔊C1

Use this for liquids, gases, or even information escaping from a confined space, often implying a more significant or uncontrolled release.

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sangrar🔊A2

Use this when fluids, especially blood, are coming out of a body part, machine, or pipe, often due to damage or injury.

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English → Spanish

irse

EER-sehˈiɾse

pronominal verbB1
Use this when liquids or gases are escaping from a container or pipe, often implying a gradual loss.
A blue metal water pipe with a single drop of water slowly falling from a visible crack, illustrating a leak.

Examples

Se está yendo el gas del globo.

The gas is leaking from the balloon.

Cuidado, la sopa se va por el borde de la olla.

Careful, the soup is spilling over the edge of the pot.

Talking About Accidents

This use of 'irse' is often part of a structure that describes an accident without placing blame. For example, 'Se me fue la leche' is like saying 'The milk got away from me' instead of 'I spilled the milk'.

correr

koh-REHRkoˈrer

verbA2
Use this when a liquid is flowing or running out of a container or from a source, emphasizing movement.
Clear blue water flowing rapidly over smooth river stones in a natural setting.

Examples

El agua corre desde la montaña hasta el río.

The water flows from the mountain to the river.

El rumor corrió por toda la oficina en minutos.

The rumor circulated (ran) through the entire office in minutes.

Necesitamos arreglar la tubería porque está corriendo agua.

We need to fix the pipe because water is leaking/running out.

filtrar

feel-TRARfilˈtɾaɾ

verbB2
Use this specifically when confidential information or documents are unofficially revealed or passed on.
A person whispering a secret into another person's ear while pointing at a folder.

Examples

Alguien filtró los documentos a la prensa.

Someone leaked the documents to the press.

El agua se filtró por las grietas de la pared.

The water seeped through the cracks in the wall.

Se filtró la noticia antes del anuncio oficial.

The news leaked before the official announcement.

The 'Reflexive' Leak

When a secret gets out on its own, use 'se filtró'. This makes it sound like the information escaped rather than someone actively giving it away.

Direct vs. Reflexive

Mistake: “Saying 'La noticia filtró' for 'The news leaked'.”

Correction: Say 'La noticia se filtró'. Use the 'se' when something happens by itself.

divulgar

dee-vool-GARdiβulˈɡaɾ

verbB2
Use this when secrets or private information are shared or spread, often intentionally.
A person whispering a secret into the ear of another person who looks surprised.

Examples

No puedes divulgar el secreto de tu mejor amiga.

You cannot spread your best friend's secret.

La prensa divulgó la noticia del accidente esta mañana.

The press broadcast the news of the accident this morning.

Es ilegal divulgar información privada de los clientes.

It is illegal to disclose clients' private information.

The 'g' to 'gu' Spelling Change

To keep the hard 'g' sound, the 'g' changes to 'gu' before the letter 'e'. This happens in the 'yo' form of the past (divulgué) and all present subjunctive forms (divulgue).

Use with Reflexive Pronouns

When a news story spreads on its own, we often use the reflexive form: 'La noticia se divulgó' (The news spread).

Confusing it with 'Popularizar'

Mistake: “Using 'divulgar' to mean making something well-liked.”

Correction: 'Divulgar' means making information known, not necessarily making it popular or liked by people.

fugar

foo-GAHRfuˈɡaɾ

verbC1
Use this for liquids, gases, or even information escaping from a confined space, often implying a more significant or uncontrolled release.
Blue water dripping from a small crack in a metal pipe.

Examples

El gas se está fugando por una grieta en el tubo.

Gas is leaking through a crack in the pipe.

Muchos inversores están fugando capitales del país.

Many investors are draining capital from the country.

La información se fugó antes del anuncio oficial.

The information leaked before the official announcement.

Technical Usage

When used for leaks, it is often treated as a process where something 'escapes' the container.

sangrar

san-GRARsaŋˈɡɾaɾ

verbA2
Use this when fluids, especially blood, are coming out of a body part, machine, or pipe, often due to damage or injury.
A small, simple scratch on a person's forearm with a single, bright red drop of blood forming.

Examples

Me corté el dedo y empezó a sangrar mucho.

I cut my finger and it started to bleed a lot.

Si la herida sigue sangrando, ve al médico.

If the wound keeps bleeding, go to the doctor.

Parece que el motor está sangrando aceite.

It looks like the engine is leaking oil.

Using Body Parts with Sangrar

In Spanish, we usually say 'Sangro por la nariz' (I bleed through the nose) rather than 'Mi nariz sangra' (My nose bleeds), though both are understood.

Sangre vs. Sangrar

Mistake: “Me duele la sangrar.”

Correction: Me duele y estoy sangrando (I am bleeding) or Me sale sangre (Blood is coming out). 'Sangre' is the noun, 'sangrar' is the action.

Leaks of Information vs. Liquids

Learners often confuse 'filtrar' and 'divulgar' for leaks of information. Use 'filtrar' when documents or data are unofficially revealed, and 'divulgar' when secrets or personal information are spread, often more broadly.

Related Translations

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