How to Say "to spread" in Spanish
The most common Spanish word for “to spread” is “extender” — use this word when you physically unfold, smooth out, or lay something flat over an area, like a blanket or a tablecloth.
extender
eks-ten-DEHReks.tenˈdeɾ
Examples
Extiende la manta sobre la arena.
Spread the blanket on the sand.
El niño extendió los brazos para un abrazo.
The boy stretched out his arms for a hug.
Tienes que extender la masa de la pizza con el rodillo.
You have to roll out the pizza dough with the rolling pin.
The Stem Change
In the present tense, the 'e' in the middle of the word changes to 'ie' whenever you put the stress on it (like 'extiendo'), but it stays 'e' when the ending is stressed (like 'extendemos').
Use with Reflexive Pronouns
When something spreads on its own (like news or a disease), use 'extenderse' with 'se' at the end.
The 'Yo' Form Error
Mistake: “Yo extendo la manta.”
Correction: Yo extiendo la manta. Remember the 'e' splits into 'ie' in the present tense!
echar
eh-CHAReˈt͡ʃaɾ
Examples
Voy a echarle un poco de sal a la sopa.
I'm going to add a little salt to the soup.
¿Puedes echar más gasolina al coche, por favor?
Can you put more gas in the car, please?
Echa el agua caliente en la tetera.
Pour the hot water into the kettle.
Use with Indirect Objects (Le/Les)
When you add something to something else (like salt to soup), you often use the indirect object pronoun 'le' or 'les': 'Le echo sal' (I add salt to it).
untar
oon-TAHRunˈtaɾ
Examples
Me gusta untar mantequilla en el pan tostado.
I like to spread butter on the toast.
Tienes que untar el molde con aceite antes de hornear.
You have to grease the mold with oil before baking.
No te olvides de untarte crema solar en la espalda.
Don't forget to put sunscreen on your back.
Using 'en' vs 'con'
Use 'en' for the surface (bread, skin) and 'con' for the substance (butter, cream). For example: 'Untar mantequilla en el pan' or 'Untar el pan con mantequilla'.
Making it personal
When applying something to your own body, use the reflexive form 'untarse'. Example: 'Me unto crema' (I put cream on myself).
Using 'untar' for jam
Mistake: “Technically you can, but 'untar' is usually for thick, creamy things.”
Correction: Use 'untar' for butter or cream, and 'poner' or 'extender' for things like jam or jelly if you want to sound more natural.
esparcir
es-par-SEEResparˈθir
Examples
El campesino empezó a esparcir las semillas por el campo.
The farmer began to scatter the seeds across the field.
No debes esparcir rumores si no estás seguro de que son ciertos.
You shouldn't spread rumors if you aren't sure they are true.
Esparció un poco de azúcar sobre el pastel.
She scattered a little sugar over the cake.
The 'I' form spelling swap
When you say 'I scatter' (esparzo), the 'c' changes to a 'z'. This helps keep the soft 's' sound before the 'o'.
Spreading vs. Smearing
Use 'esparcir' for items you drop or throw around (like sand or news). Use 'untar' if you are rubbing something on, like butter on toast.
The 'c' or 'z' confusion
Mistake: “Yo esparco.”
Correction: Yo esparzo. (Verbs ending in a consonant + cir always use a 'z' before 'o' or 'a' to stay sounding correct.)
derramar
deh-rrah-MAHRderaˈmaɾ
Examples
Ella derramó lágrimas de alegría al verlo.
She shed tears of joy upon seeing him.
Muchos soldados derramaron su sangre en esta batalla.
Many soldiers shed their blood in this battle.
El sol derramaba su luz sobre el valle.
The sun shed its light over the valley.
Emotional Contexts
When used with 'lágrimas' (tears), it emphasizes the volume or intensity of the emotion more than the simpler verb 'llorar' (to cry).
difundir
dee-foon-DEERdifunˈdiɾ
Examples
Internet ayuda a difundir las noticias rápidamente.
The internet helps to spread the news quickly.
Ellos quieren difundir su cultura por todo el mundo.
They want to spread their culture all over the world.
Es importante no difundir rumores falsos.
It is important not to spread false rumors.
Using 'Se' for 'Getting Spread'
When news spreads on its own without mentioning who did it, use the reflexive 'se': 'La noticia se difundió rápido' (The news spread quickly).
A Regular -IR Verb
Good news! This verb follows the standard patterns for -ir verbs, like 'vivir' or 'escribir.'
Difundir vs. Transmitir
Mistake: “Usamos la radio para transmitir la música.”
Correction: While both work, use 'difundir' when you want to emphasize making information reach many people, and 'transmitir' for the technical act of broadcasting a signal.
propagandir
Examples
Las redes sociales ayudan a propagar las noticias rápidamente.
Social media helps to spread news quickly.
regar
reh-GAHRreˈɡaɾ
Examples
Los niños regaron sus juguetes por toda la sala.
The children scattered their toys all over the living room.
Ten cuidado, no vayas a regar el café.
Be careful, don't spill the coffee.
La noticia se regó rápidamente por el pueblo.
The news spread quickly through the town.
Using 'se' for Spreading News
When news or rumors spread by themselves, we add 'se' (se regó la noticia), which works like saying 'the news got spread' in English.
Spilling vs. Watering
Mistake: “Regué el agua en la mesa.”
Correction: Derramé el agua en la mesa. (While 'regar' can mean spill in some countries, 'derramar' is more precise for accidental spills on furniture.)
contagiar
kon-ta-HYAHRkontaˈxjaɾ
Examples
Tu alegría nos contagia a todos.
Your joy is catching for all of us.
El bostezo se contagia fácilmente.
Yawning is easily caught (is contagious).
Espero que se me contagie tu buena suerte.
I hope your good luck rubs off on me.
Abstract Subjects
Unlike the medical meaning, the thing doing the 'infecting' here is usually a noun like 'joy', 'laughter', or 'bad mood'.
Using 'transmitir' for moods
Mistake: “Ella transmitió su risa.”
Correction: Ella contagió su risa. While 'transmitir' is okay, 'contagiar' is much more natural for emotions that spread through a room like a spark.
divulgar
dee-vool-GARdiβulˈɡaɾ
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.
expandir
eks-pan-DEERekspanˈdiɾ
Examples
La marca quiere expandir su presencia en Latinoamérica.
The brand wants to expand its presence in Latin America.
Leer ayuda a expandir tus horizontes.
Reading helps to broaden your horizons.
El virus se expandió rápidamente por la ciudad.
The virus spread quickly through the city.
Abstract usage
When talking about spreading ideas or news, 'expandir' and 'difundir' are very similar. However, 'expandir' sounds more like growth, while 'difundir' sounds like broadcasting.
Expandir vs. Extender
Mistake: “Voy a expandir el mapa sobre la mesa.”
Correction: Voy a extender el mapa sobre la mesa.
generalizar
hen-er-al-ee-SARxeneɾaliˈθaɾ
Examples
El uso de mascarillas se generalizó rápidamente.
The use of masks became widespread quickly.
Queremos generalizar el acceso a internet en las zonas rurales.
We want to make internet access common in rural areas.
Using the 'Se' Form
To say that something 'became widespread' or 'became common,' we often use 'se generalizó.' This reflexive-style construction makes it clear the action happened to the trend itself.
sembrar
sem-BRAHRsemˈbɾaɾ
Examples
Sus comentarios siembran la duda entre los empleados.
His comments spread doubt among the employees.
El villano quería sembrar el pánico en la ciudad.
The villain wanted to spread panic in the city.
Es importante sembrar valores en los niños desde pequeños.
It is important to instill values in children from a young age.
Abstract Sowing
Just like a seed grows into a plant, Spanish uses 'sembrar' for ideas or feelings that you 'start' so that they grow in a person's mind or in a community.
Mixing with 'difundir'
Mistake: “Sembrar la noticia.”
Correction: For news, use 'difundir' or 'dar'. Use 'sembrar' for emotions or abstract concepts like 'chaos' or 'hope'.
Physical vs. Abstract Spreading
Related Translations
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