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"Desmoronar" is a transitive verb which is often translated as "to cause to crumble", and "pulverizar" is a transitive verb which is often translated as "to spray". Learn more about the difference between "desmoronar" and "pulverizar" below.
desmoronar(
dehs
-
moh
-
roh
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nahr
)A transitive verb is a verb that requires a direct object (e.g., I bought a book.).
a. to cause to crumble
El tsunami desmoronó el rompeolas.The tsunami caused the breakwater to crumble.
b. to cause to collapse
Fue el fuego de artillería del enemigo lo que desmoronó la torre.It was the artillery fire from the enemy that caused the tower to collapse.
desmoronarse
A pronominal verb always uses a reflexive pronoun. (e.g., Te ves cansado.).
b. to collapse
El techo de la casa se desmoronó, pero, por suerte, no había nadie adentro.The ceiling of the house collapsed, but luckily nobody was inside.
a. to go to pieces
Antonio se desmoronó cuando se enteró de la muerte de su hijo.Antonio went to pieces when he found out about his son's death.
4. (to decline)
a. to collapse
El imperio comenzó a desmoronarse por las invasiones bárbaras.The empire began to collapse as a result of to the barbarian invasions.
pulverizar(
pool
-
beh
-
ree
-
sahr
)A transitive verb is a verb that requires a direct object (e.g., I bought a book.).
a. to spray
Mi madre solía pulverizar el perfume sobre su ropa por las mañanas.My mother used to spray perfume on her clothes in the mornings.
a. to convert into powder
La bola de demolición pulverizó el muro.The wrecking ball converted the wall into powder.
b. to pulverize
La máquina está diseñada para pulverizar las rocas y convertirlas en arena.The machine is designed to pulverize the rocks and turn them into sand.
c. to pulverise (United Kingdom)
Regionalism used in the United Kingdom
El terremoto pulverizó las paredes de yeso.The earthquake pulverised the gypsum walls.
d. to crush
Un golpe seco pulverizó la frágil estructura.A heavy blow crushed the fragile structure.
3. (figurative) (to beat)
A phrase used as a figure of speech or a word that is symbolic in meaning; metaphorical (e.g., carrot, bean).
a. to pulverize
El concursante pulverizó a sus adversarios al acertar todas las preguntas.The contestant pulverized the opposition when he got all the answers right.
b. to pulverise (United Kingdom)
Regionalism used in the United Kingdom
El piloto de carreras es tan bueno que seguro que pulveriza a los demás.The race driver is so skilled that he will certainly pulverise the rest of drivers.
c. to smash
Tendrás que entrenar mucho si quieres pulverizar el récord mundial.You'll have to train a lot if you want to smash the world record.
pulverizarse
A pronominal verb phrase combines a verb with a preposition or other particle and always uses a reflexive pronoun. (e.g., Se dio cuenta del problema.)
b. to become dust
La urna funeraria se pulverizará en el horno crematorio.The funerary urn will become dust in the crematory chamber.
