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"Explode" is an intransitive verb which is often translated as "explotar", and "blast" is a noun which is often translated as "la explosión". Learn more about the difference between "explode" and "blast" below.
explode(
ehk
-
splod
)An intransitive verb is one that does not require a direct object (e.g., The man sneezed.).
1. (to blow up)
a. explotar
The lightning struck the gas tank and it exploded.El rayo le pegó al tanque de gas, que explotó.
b. estallar
He lit the fuse and took cover while waiting for the dynamite to explode.Encendió la mecha y se puso a cubierto mientras esperó que la dinamita estallara.
c. hacer explosión
He quickly pulled off the road when his tire exploded.Rápidamente se orilló cuando la llanta hizo explosión.
a. explotar
Sam exploded in anger when he saw what the vandals had done to his car.Sam explotó de ira cuando vio lo que los vándalos le habían hecho a su coche.
b. estallar
Sandra explodes with rage whenever anyone mentions her ex-boyfriend.Sandra estalla de rabia cada vez que alguien menciona a su exnovio.
c. reventar
The courtroom exploded with laughter, and a prompt recess was called.La sala del tribunal reventó de risa, y se solicitó un receso inmediato.
a. dispararse
After the release of our new product, third quarter sales exploded.Después del lanzamiento de nuestro nuevo producto, las ventas del tercer trimestre se dispararon.
A transitive verb is a verb that requires a direct object (e.g., I bought a book.).
4. (to blow up)
a. hacer explotar
The insurgents exploded an oil pipeline.Los insurgentes hicieron explotar un oleoducto.
b. hacer estallar
The terrorists blew up a supermarket.Los terroristas hicieron estallar un supermercado.
5. (to refute)
a. desmentir
He exploded the rumor of his resignation in a public statement.Desmintió el rumor de su renuncia en una declaración pública.
b. refutar
Available evidence has exploded the theory that the heaviest brain is necessarily the most highly developed.Los datos disponibles han refutado la teoría de que el cerebro más pesado es necesariamente el más desarrollado.
blast(
blahst
)A noun is a word referring to a person, animal, place, thing, feeling, or idea (e.g., man, dog, house).
1. (explosion)
a. la explosión (F)
(f) means that a noun is feminine. Spanish nouns have a gender, which is either feminine (like la mujer or la luna) or masculine (like el hombre or el sol).
The cause of the blast is not yet known, but the possibility of a suicide attack has been discarded.Todavía se desconoce la causa de la explosión, pero se descarta la posibilidad de un atentado suicida.
2. (shock wave)
a. la onda expansiva (F)
(f) means that a noun is feminine. Spanish nouns have a gender, which is either feminine (like la mujer or la luna) or masculine (like el hombre or el sol).
The blast of the explosion shattered all the windows.La onda expansiva de la explosión hizo añicos todas las ventanas.
b. la sacudida (F)
(f) means that a noun is feminine. Spanish nouns have a gender, which is either feminine (like la mujer or la luna) or masculine (like el hombre or el sol).
The blast caused by the explosion rippled across the city, toppling buildings and bridges.La sacudida causada por la explosión se expandió por la ciudad, derribando edificios y puentes.
a. la ráfaga (F) (of air)
(f) means that a noun is feminine. Spanish nouns have a gender, which is either feminine (like la mujer or la luna) or masculine (like el hombre or el sol).
When I opened the window, I felt a blast of hot air on my face.Al abrir la ventana, sentí una ráfaga de aire caliente en la cara.
b. el chorro (M) (of water or sand)
(m) means that a noun is masculine. Spanish nouns have a gender, which is either feminine (like la mujer or la luna) or masculine (like el hombre or el sol).
A blast of water came shooting out of the fire hydrant when the car hit it.Un chorro de agua salió de la boca de incendios al chocar el auto contra ella.
4. (loud sound)
5. (outburst)
a. la oleada (F)
(f) means that a noun is feminine. Spanish nouns have a gender, which is either feminine (like la mujer or la luna) or masculine (like el hombre or el sol).
The prime minister received a blast of criticism from the British press.El primer ministro recibió una oleada de críticas de la prensa británica.
6. (full force)
a. no direct translation
This refers to an idiomatic word or phrase for which there is no word-for-word translation.
I couldn't sleep because my neighbors had the stereo on at full blast.No pude dormir porque los vecinos tenían el estéreo a todo volumen.
When I came home, the kids had the heat going at full blast.Cuando volví a casa, mis hijos tenían la calefacción puesta a toda máquina.
7. (colloquial) (good time) (United States)
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
Regionalism used in the United States
a. la pasada (F) (colloquial)
(f) means that a noun is feminine. Spanish nouns have a gender, which is either feminine (like la mujer or la luna) or masculine (like el hombre or el sol).
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
The party last night was a blast!¡La fiesta de anoche fue una pasada!
b. el desmadre (M) (colloquial)
(m) means that a noun is masculine. Spanish nouns have a gender, which is either feminine (like la mujer or la luna) or masculine (like el hombre or el sol).
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
The concert was a total blast. It was the best birthday ever!El concierto fue un desmadre total. ¡Fue el mejor cumple de mi vida!
A transitive verb is a verb that requires a direct object (e.g., I bought a book.).
8. (to blow up)
a. volar
Guy Fawkes plotted to blast the Houses of Parliament on November 5th, 1605.Guy Fawkes urdió un complot para volar el parlamento británico el 5 de noviembre de 1605.
b. derribar utilizando una carga explosiva
Instead of demolishing the building, they blasted it.En lugar de demoler el edificio, lo derribaron utilizando una carga explosiva.
c. abrir utilizando una carga explosiva
They are going to blast a tunnel through this hill.Van a abrir un túnel a través de la montaña utilizando una carga explosiva.
a. acribillar
The thugs following him blasted the door with bullets.Los matones que lo seguían acribillaron la puerta a balazos.
10. (military)
a. bombardear
The enemy army blasted the city relentlessly.El ejército enemigo bombardeaba la ciudad sin tregua.
11. (to criticize)
a. atacar
Reporters blasted his policies for favoring big business.Los periodistas atacaron su política porque favorecía al gran capital.
b. arremeter contra
The professor's controversial theories were blasted by his peers.Los colegas del profesor arremetieron contra sus polémicas teorías.
c. echar por tierra
I made some helpful suggestions, but he blasted one after another.Hice sugerencias útiles, pero él las fue echando por tierra una tras otra.
12. (to wither)
13. (literary) (to ruin)
A word or phrase restricted in usage to literature or established writing (e.g., sex, once upon a time).
a. echar por tierra
An accident in the gym blasted his hopes of Olympic gold.Un accidente que tuvo en el gimnasio echó por tierra sus esperanzas de lograr un oro olímpico.
b. malograr
The singer blasted his future with his heavy smoking.El cantante malogró su futuro abusando del tabaco.
14. (to play loudly)
a. poner a todo volumen
My dad was out in the garage blasting Led Zeppelin while he washed the car.Mi papá estaba afuera en el taller, con Led Zeppelin puesto a todo volumen mientras lavaba el auto.
An intransitive verb is one that does not require a direct object (e.g., The man sneezed.).
a. sonar a todo volumen
There's always music blasting in that bar.En ese bar siempre suena la música a todo volumen.
b. retumbar
The noise of the jackhammers was blasting into our house.El ruido de los martillos neumáticos retumbaba en nuestra casa.
An interjection is a short utterance that expresses emotion, hesitation, or protest (e.g., Wow!).
16. (colloquial) (used to express frustration) (United Kingdom)
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
Regionalism used in the United Kingdom
a. maldita sea
Blast! We've missed the last bus. Shall we call a taxi?¡Maldita sea! Perdimos el último autobús. ¿Llamamos a un taxi?
b. maldición
Blast! Those bloody pirates have returned!¡Maldición! ¡Han vuelto esos malditos piratas!
