How to Say "to submerge" in Spanish
The most common Spanish word for “to submerge” is “hundir” — use 'hundir' when an object, especially a ship, is intentionally or unintentionally made to go to the bottom of the water..
hundir
/oon-DEER//unˈdiɾ/
Examples
El barco se hundió después de chocar con el iceberg.
The ship sank after hitting the iceberg.
El pirata intentó hundir el barco enemigo.
The pirate tried to sink the enemy ship.
Me gusta hundir los pies en la arena tibia.
I like to sink my feet into the warm sand.
Tienes que hundir el botón con fuerza para que funcione.
You have to push the button down hard for it to work.
Using it with yourself
When things sink on their own (like a ship or a person in water), we often add 'se' to the end: 'El barco se hundió' (The boat sank itself).
Physical Action
In Spanish, this word covers both the natural act of sinking and the intentional act of pushing something down into a soft surface.
Sinking vs. Falling
Mistake: “Using 'hundir' for falling through the air.”
Correction: Use 'caer' for falling. 'Hundir' specifically implies going into or under a surface like water, mud, or a cushion.
sumergir
/soo-mair-HEER//sumerˈxiɾ/
Examples
Hay que sumergir las verduras en agua caliente por unos minutos.
You have to submerge the vegetables in hot water for a few minutes.
Debes sumergir los tomates en agua hirviendo.
You should dip the tomatoes in boiling water.
El submarino se empezó a sumergir lentamente.
The submarine began to submerge slowly.
Sumergí mi cabeza en la piscina para refrescarme.
I dipped my head in the pool to cool off.
The 'G' to 'J' Swap
To keep the strong 'H' sound, the 'g' changes to a 'j' whenever the next letter is an 'a' or an 'o' (like in 'yo sumerjo').
Using it with 'en'
In Spanish, we always use the word 'en' (in) after sumergir to say what something is being dipped into.
Spelling Error with 'Yo'
Mistake: “Yo sumergo.”
Correction: Yo sumerjo. In Spanish, 'go' sounds like 'go' in 'gold'. To get the 'H' sound, we need the 'j'.
inundar
/ee-noon-DAHR//inunˈdaɾ/
Examples
Las fuertes lluvias inundaron las calles del pueblo.
The heavy rains flooded the town's streets.
El río se desbordó e inundó toda la ciudad.
The river overflowed and flooded the entire city.
Si dejas el grifo abierto, vas a inundar el baño.
If you leave the tap open, you are going to flood the bathroom.
Las fuertes lluvias suelen inundar los pasos subterráneos.
Heavy rains often flood the underpasses.
Using 'Inundarse'
Add 'se' to the end (inundarse) when you want to say something is 'getting flooded' on its own rather than someone doing the flooding.
Flooded 'With' Something
When you want to say what is causing the flood, use the word 'de' (of/with). For example: 'inundado de agua' (flooded with water).
Flooded vs. Full
Mistake: “La cocina está inundada de comida.”
Correction: La cocina está llena de comida. (Use 'inundar' only when it's overwhelming like a wave; otherwise, use 'lleno' for just being full).
sumir
/soo-MEER//suˈmiɾ/
Examples
La crisis económica sumió al país en la incertidumbre.
The economic crisis plunged the country into uncertainty.
La muerte de su perro lo sumió en una gran tristeza.
The death of his dog plunged him into a great sadness.
Las deudas pueden sumir a una empresa en la quiebra.
Debts can sink a company into bankruptcy.
El escándalo sumió al país en una crisis política.
The scandal plunged the country into a political crisis.
Using the word 'en'
When you use 'sumir' to say someone is being plunged into a state, you must follow it with the word 'en' (in/into).
Adding 'se' for personal feelings
If you want to say someone is sinking into their own thoughts or feelings, use the reflexive form 'sumirse' (adding 'se' to the end).
Confusing sumir and sumar
Mistake: “Yo sumo a mi amigo en la tristeza.”
Correction: Yo sumo (from sumar) means 'I add'. Use 'Yo sumí' or 'Yo sumerjo' if you mean sinking or plunging.
Literal vs. Figurative Use
Related Translations
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