How to Say "to melt" in Spanish
The most common Spanish word for “to melt” is “deshacerse” — use this reflexive verb when something solid like ice cream, butter, or ice naturally turns to liquid due to heat.
deshacerse
dess-ah-SEHR-sehdesaˈseɾse
Examples
El helado se deshizo rápidamente bajo el sol.
The ice cream melted quickly under the sun.
La vieja tela se deshacía al tocarla.
The old fabric was falling apart just by touching it.
La pastilla se deshace en el agua caliente.
The pill dissolves in the hot water.
Passive Action
In this meaning, 'deshacerse' describes a change of state that happens to the subject itself (like the ice cream melting). The reflexive pronoun 'se' shows that the action is contained within the subject.
derretir
deh-rreh-teerdereˈtiɾ
Examples
El sol derrite la nieve muy rápido.
The sun melts the snow very quickly.
Tienes que derretir la mantequilla antes de añadirla a la mezcla.
You have to melt the butter before adding it to the mix.
El helado se derritió porque hacía mucho calor.
The ice cream melted because it was very hot.
The 'E' to 'I' Change
In many present tense forms and the third-person past tense, the middle 'e' changes to an 'i'. For example, 'yo derrito' (I melt) instead of 'derreto'.
Using 'Se' for Automatic Melting
If something melts on its own (like ice in a glass), we add 'se' to make it 'derretirse'. Example: 'El hielo se derrite'.
Forgetting the 'Se'
Mistake: “El hielo derrite.”
Correction: El hielo se derrite. (Use 'se' because the ice is performing the action on itself; otherwise, people might wonder what the ice is melting!)
fundir
foon-DEERfunˈdiɾ
Examples
Tienes que fundir la mantequilla en una sartén.
You have to melt the butter in a pan.
El calor extremo fundió el asfalto de la calle.
The extreme heat melted the asphalt on the street.
Están fundiendo bronce para hacer la estatua.
They are casting bronze to make the statue.
Fundir vs. Fundirse
Use 'fundir' when you are melting something, but use the 'se' version (fundirse) when something is melting on its own, like ice cream in the sun.
Regular -ir Ending
This word follows the standard pattern for verbs ending in -ir, making it very predictable to conjugate.
Using 'fundir' for ice only
Mistake: “El hielo se fundió.”
Correction: While correct, 'derretirse' is much more natural for ice. Use 'fundir' primarily for metals, cheese, or wax.
deshacer
des-ah-SEHRdesaˈθeɾ
Examples
El hielo se deshizo rápidamente bajo el sol.
The ice melted quickly under the sun.
Tienes que deshacer la pastilla en un vaso de agua.
You have to dissolve the pill in a glass of water.
Using 'se'
When something melts on its own (like ice), we add 'se' to the verb: 'El hielo se deshace'.
deshacerme
des-ah-SAYR-mehdesaˈθeɾme
Examples
Con este calor, siento que voy a deshacerme.
With this heat, I feel like I'm going to melt.
Suelo deshacerme en lágrimas con esa película.
I usually break down in tears with that movie.
Figurative Use
Just like in English, you aren't literally turning into liquid; you're just describing a strong feeling!
Reflexive vs. Non-Reflexive 'Melt'
Related Translations
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