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How to Say "to transmit" in Spanish

English → Spanish

comunicar

koh-moo-nee-karkomuniˈkaɾ

verbA2general
Use 'comunicar' when you mean to convey information, news, or a message from one person or group to another.
Two people sitting across from each other talking and gesturing with friendly expressions.

Examples

Necesito comunicar esta noticia a mi familia.

I need to tell this news to my family.

Es importante comunicar tus ideas con claridad.

It is important to communicate your ideas clearly.

El director comunicó los cambios por correo electrónico.

The director announced the changes via email.

The 'C' to 'QU' Swap

In the 'I' form of the past tense (preterite), the 'c' changes to 'qu' (comuniqué). This is just to keep the hard 'K' sound; it doesn't change how the verb works!

Using 'Con'

When you want to say you are communicating WITH someone, you must use the word 'con' after the verb.

Forgetting the 'qu' in writing

Mistake: “Yo comunicé la noticia.”

Correction: Yo comuniqué la noticia. (We use 'qu' before 'e' to keep the sound hard like a 'K'.)

emitir

eh-mee-TEERe.mi.'tiɾ

verbB1general
Use 'emitir' when referring to the broadcasting of signals, sound, light, or other forms of energy.
A colorful illustration of a tall radio tower standing on a hill, sending out bright, pulsing signal waves into the sky.

Examples

La radio emite música clásica por la noche.

The radio station broadcasts classical music at night.

Ese radiador emite mucho calor.

That radiator gives off a lot of heat.

Las antenas emiten señales de satélite.

The antennas transmit satellite signals.

It's a regular '-ir' verb

Good news! This verb follows the normal pattern for verbs ending in -ir, so there are no strange spelling changes to memorize.

Broadcasting vs. Sending

While 'enviar' means to send a physical object, use 'emitir' for things that travel as waves, like Wi-Fi or TV programs.

Avoid using 'broadcastar'

Mistake: “Están broadcastando el partido.”

Correction: Están emitiendo el partido. Spanish doesn't use a 'Spanglish' version of broadcast.

pegar

peh-GARpeˈɣaɾ

verbB1informal
Use 'pegar' specifically when talking about spreading something contagious, like an illness or a habit.
A small, round, green cartoon microbe floating between two friendly cartoon figures, symbolizing transmission.

Examples

No te acerques, no quiero pegarte la tos.

Don't come near, I don't want to give you (infect you with) the cough.

Esa canción pegó muy fuerte el año pasado.

That song became very popular (caught on) last year. (Informal)

Su mala suerte se me pegó.

His bad luck rubbed off on me (stuck to me).

Using 'Se pegar'

When talking about catching a disease or a habit, you often use the verb reflexively ('pegarse') to show that the thing stuck to you: 'Se me pegó el resfriado' (The cold stuck to me / I caught the cold).

Don't confuse 'comunicar' with 'pegar'

Learners often confuse 'comunicar' (to communicate information) with 'pegar' (to transmit something contagious). Remember that 'comunicar' is for sharing news or messages, while 'pegar' is specifically for spreading illnesses or habits.

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