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How to Say "to utter" in Spanish

English → Spanish

exclamar

eks-kla-MAReks.klaˈmaɾ

verbB1informal
Use this when someone speaks with strong emotion or surprise, often a short outburst.
A child standing in a garden with wide eyes and an open mouth, hands raised in excitement as they discover a bright butterfly.

Examples

—¡Qué sorpresa! —exclamó ella al abrir la puerta.

—What a surprise! —she exclaimed upon opening the door.

El público no pudo evitar exclamar de asombro ante el truco de magia.

The audience couldn't help but cry out in amazement at the magic trick.

No hace falta exclamar para que te escuchemos bien.

There is no need to shout/exclaim for us to hear you well.

Punctuation Power

When you use this verb to report what someone said, you should always have exclamation marks (¡!) around the quoted words.

Storyteller Style

In books, 'exclamar' often comes after the quote, and the word order is flipped: '—¡Ven! —exclamó Juan' (—Come! —exclaimed Juan).

Confusing with 'reclamar'

Mistake: “Reclamó '¡Qué bien!'”

Correction: Exclamó '¡Qué bien!'

emitir

eh-mee-TEERe.mi.'tiɾ

verbB2formal
This is best for formally releasing or broadcasting sounds, signals, or official statements.
A colorful illustration of a printing press producing fresh, crisp paper bills that are sliding into a neat stack.

Examples

El gobierno emitió un comunicado oficial.

The government issued an official statement.

Es hora de emitir su voto.

It is time to cast your vote.

El banco va a emitir nuevas tarjetas de crédito.

The bank is going to issue new credit cards.

Formal Issuing

In official settings, use 'emitir' for releasing documents or money. It implies the source has the authority to make it valid.

Don't use for 'to give' (dar)

Mistake: “Me emitió un regalo.”

Correction: Me dio un regalo. 'Emitir' is for formal things like reports or votes, not personal gifts.

soltar

sohl-TAHRsolˈtaɾ

verbB1informal
Use this when someone unexpectedly lets out a sound, like a laugh or a sigh, often involuntarily.
A cartoonishly surprised person with wide eyes suddenly emitting a visible burst of sound from their mouth, indicating they blurted something out unexpectedly.

Examples

No pude evitarlo, solté una risa en medio de la reunión.

I couldn't help it, I let out a laugh in the middle of the meeting.

Antes de irse, soltó un comentario muy hiriente.

Before leaving, he blurted out a very hurtful comment.

Figurative Use

When used with words like 'risa' (laugh) or 'lágrima' (tear), 'soltar' means the sound or feeling 'escaped' or was expressed suddenly.

exhalar

eks-ah-LAHReksaˈlaɾ

verbB2
This specifically refers to breathing out sounds like sighs or moans, or the emission of scents.
A blooming purple flower with small wavy lines rising from it to represent a sweet scent being released.

Examples

La flor exhalaba un aroma delicioso.

The flower gave off a delicious scent.

Ella exhaló un suspiro de alivio cuando vio que estaba a salvo.

She let out a sigh of relief when she saw she was safe.

El pantano exhalaba gases tóxicos.

The marsh was emitting toxic gases.

Abstract Use

You can use this for sounds like sighs or moans, not just air or smells. It makes your writing sound more elegant.

Emitir vs. Exclamar

Learners often confuse 'emitir' and 'exclamar' because both can involve speaking. Remember 'emitir' is for formal, official outputs like statements, while 'exclamar' is for spontaneous, emotional vocalizations.

Related Translations

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