Inklingo

How to Say "to vibrate" in Spanish

English → Spanish

vibrar

/bee-BRAHR//biˈβɾaɾ/

verbA2general
Use 'vibrar' for everyday physical movements like a phone buzzing or an object shaking slightly, as well as for technical settings related to vibration.
A smartphone on a wooden surface with small motion lines indicating it is vibrating.

Examples

Siento mi teléfono vibrar en mi bolsillo.

I feel my phone vibrating in my pocket.

Las cuerdas de la guitarra vibran para producir sonido.

The guitar strings vibrate to produce sound.

El suelo vibró cuando pasó el camión.

The ground shook when the truck passed by.

Perfectly Regular

Good news! This verb follows the standard rules for all '-ar' verbs. If you know how to conjugate 'hablar', you know 'vibrar'.

Vibrar vs. Temblar

Mistake: “Me vibro de frío.”

Correction: Tiemblo de frío. Use 'vibrar' for machines or tools, and 'temblar' for humans shivering or earthquakes.

estremecer

/es-treh-meh-SEHR//estɾemeˈθeɾ/

verbB1general
Use 'estremecer' when referring to a strong impact, a significant shaking, or a sudden jolt caused by something powerful like a loud noise or an earthquake.
A small green leaf on a thin branch vibrating and shaking vigorously.

Examples

El rugido del motor hizo estremecer el suelo.

The roar of the engine made the ground shake.

Ella se estremeció al sentir el viento helado en su cara.

She shuddered when she felt the icy wind on her face.

Un fuerte terremoto estremeció la ciudad durante la noche.

A strong earthquake shook the city during the night.

The 'ZC' Spelling Change

For this verb, when you have a 'yo' form or a 'special form' (subjunctive) that ends in 'o' or 'a', the 'c' changes to 'zc' to keep the soft 's' or 'th' sound.

When to use 'se'

Use 'estremecerse' (with the extra 'se') when you are talking about a person shivering or shuddering on their own. Use 'estremecer' without 'se' when something else is doing the shaking.

Missing the 'Z'

Mistake: “Yo estremeco.”

Correction: Yo estremezco. (The 'z' is needed before the 'o' to maintain the correct pronunciation pattern.)

Don't confuse slight shaking with strong impact

Learners often use 'estremecer' for minor vibrations, like a phone buzzing. Remember, 'vibrar' is for everyday, less intense movements, while 'estremecer' implies a more powerful, noticeable shaking or shudder.

Related Translations

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