Inklingo

How to Say "to scream" in Spanish

The most common Spanish word for “to scream” is “gritar” — use 'gritar' for general shouting, often when you want to be heard, or for sudden, loud exclamations due to surprise or panic..

English → Spanish

gritar

gree-TAHR/ɡriˈtaɾ/

verbA1general
Use 'gritar' for general shouting, often when you want to be heard, or for sudden, loud exclamations due to surprise or panic.
A simple storybook illustration of a figure standing alone, mouth wide open, shouting loudly, with stylized sound waves emanating from their mouth.

Examples

¡Grita si necesitas ayuda!

Shout if you need help!

¡No grites! Te puedo oír perfectamente.

Don't shout! I can hear you perfectly.

El niño gritó de alegría cuando vio el regalo.

The boy yelled with joy when he saw the present.

Están gritando el nombre del ganador desde el escenario.

They are shouting the winner's name from the stage.

Direct Commands (Imperative)

To tell someone (tú) to shout, you use '¡Grita!'. To tell them not to shout, you use the negative form, '¡No grites!'.

Confusing 'Gritar' and 'Llorar'

Mistake: “Using 'gritar' when you mean 'to cry tears' (llorar).”

Correction: 'Gritar' is only about sound/voice. 'Llorar' is about tears and sadness. 'Ella lloró' (She cried), not 'Ella gritó'.

chillar

/chee-YAR//t͡ʃiˈʝaɾ/

verbA2general
Choose 'chillar' for a high-pitched, piercing scream, often associated with pain, fear, or a child's tantrum.
A child with their mouth wide open in a high-pitched shout.

Examples

El niño empezó a chillar cuando se cayó.

The child started to scream when he fell.

¡No me chilles, que no estoy sordo!

Don't scream at me, I'm not deaf!

Los niños chillaban de alegría en el parque.

The children were screaming with joy in the park.

Si ves una araña, no te pongas a chillar.

If you see a spider, don't start shrieking.

Chillar vs. Gritar

'Gritar' is a general word for shouting. 'Chillar' is more specific—it implies a high-pitched, piercing sound like a shriek or a squeal.

Screaming 'at' someone

Mistake: “No chilles a yo.”

Correction: No me chilles. (In Spanish, we use the little 'me' word before the action to show who receives the screaming.)

Gritar vs. Chillar Nuances

Learners often use 'gritar' for any loud sound, but 'chillar' specifically implies a higher, more piercing tone, like a shriek. While 'gritar' can cover panic, 'chillar' is more about the sound quality itself.

Related Translations

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