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"Desparramar" is a transitive verb which is often translated as "to spill", and "derramar" is a transitive verb which is also often translated as "to spill". Learn more about the difference between "desparramar" and "derramar" below.
desparramar(
dehs
-
pah
-
rrah
-
mahr
)A transitive verb is a verb that requires a direct object (e.g., I bought a book.).
a. to spill
Le di un golpe a la taza sin querer y desparramé el café en el escritorio.I accidentally hit the cup and spilled coffee all over the desk.
2. (to spread)
a. to scatter
El niño desparramó las piezas del rompecabezas sobre la mesa.The child scattered the pieces of the jigsaw puzzle over the table.
b. to spill
No encontraba mis llaves, así que desparramé sobre el asiento el contenido de mi bolsa.I couldn't find my keys, so I spilled the contents of my bag onto the seat.
3. (to waste)
a. to squander
Jaime está desparramando el dinero de la lotería en vez de ahorrarlo.Jaime is squandering the money he won on the lottery instead of saving it.
desparramarse
A pronominal verb always uses a reflexive pronoun. (e.g., Te ves cansado.).
a. to spill
El jugo se desparramó en el suelo porque tropecé mientras llevaba la jarra.The juice spilled on the floor because I tripped as I was carrying the jug.
a. to scatter
Las lentejas se desparramaron por toda la encimera cuando se rompió la bolsa.The lentils scattered all over the countertop when the bag tore.
6. (colloquial) (to enjoy oneself)
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
a. to let your hair down (colloquial)
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
Quiero que en esta fiesta te desparrames y te olvides de tus problemas.I want you to let your hair down at this party and forget about your problems.
7. (colloquial) (to become widely known) (Argentina) (Mexico) (Puerto Rico)
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
Regionalism used in Argentina
Regionalism used in Mexico
Regionalism used in Puerto Rico
a. to spread
La noticia del escándalo del senador no tardó en desparramarse por el internet.It did not take long for news of the senator's scandal to spread across the internet.
derramar(
deh
-
rrah
-
mahr
)A transitive verb is a verb that requires a direct object (e.g., I bought a book.).
derramarse
A pronominal verb always uses a reflexive pronoun. (e.g., Te ves cansado.).
