Inklingo

How to Say "to yell" in Spanish

English → Spanish

gritar

gree-TAHR/ɡriˈtaɾ/

VerbA1General
Use 'gritar' when someone is speaking very loudly, whether out of excitement, anger, or to be heard over noise. It's the most common and general term for shouting.
A simple storybook illustration of a figure standing alone, mouth wide open, shouting loudly, with stylized sound waves emanating from their mouth.

Examples

¡No grites! Te puedo oír perfectamente.

Don't shout! I can hear you perfectly.

El niño gritó de alegría cuando vio el regalo.

The boy yelled with joy when he saw the present.

Están gritando el nombre del ganador desde el escenario.

They are shouting the winner's name from the stage.

Direct Commands (Imperative)

To tell someone (tú) to shout, you use '¡Grita!'. To tell them not to shout, you use the negative form, '¡No grites!'.

Confusing 'Gritar' and 'Llorar'

Mistake: “Using 'gritar' when you mean 'to cry tears' (llorar).”

Correction: 'Gritar' is only about sound/voice. 'Llorar' is about tears and sadness. 'Ella lloró' (She cried), not 'Ella gritó'.

chillar

/chee-YAR//t͡ʃiˈʝaɾ/

VerbA2General
Use 'chillar' for a loud, sharp, or high-pitched cry, often associated with pain, fear, or annoyance. It can also describe children or animals making loud noises.
A child with their mouth wide open in a high-pitched shout.

Examples

¡No me chilles, que no estoy sordo!

Don't scream at me, I'm not deaf!

Los niños chillaban de alegría en el parque.

The children were screaming with joy in the park.

Si ves una araña, no te pongas a chillar.

If you see a spider, don't start shrieking.

Chillar vs. Gritar

'Gritar' is a general word for shouting. 'Chillar' is more specific—it implies a high-pitched, piercing sound like a shriek or a squeal.

Screaming 'at' someone

Mistake: “No chilles a yo.”

Correction: No me chilles. (In Spanish, we use the little 'me' word before the action to show who receives the screaming.)

Gritar vs. Chillar

Learners often use 'chillar' for any loud speaking, but it's usually reserved for a sharper, more piercing sound. Stick to 'gritar' for general loud talking or shouting, and only use 'chillar' if the sound is distinctly high-pitched or like a shriek.

Related Translations

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