vs 

QUICK ANSWER
"Salpicar" is a transitive verb which is often translated as "to splash", and "chapotear" is an intransitive verb which is often translated as "to splash around". Learn more about the difference between "salpicar" and "chapotear" below.
salpicar(
sahl
-
pee
-
kahr
)
A transitive verb is a verb that requires a direct object (e.g., I bought a book.).
transitive verb
a. to splash
Dani nos salpicó cuando se tiró al agua.Dani splashed us when he got in the water.
b. to spatter
¡Ese coche me salpicó barro a propósito!That car spattered me with mud on purpose!
c. to sprinkle
Salpica las hojas de rúcula con jugo de limón.Sprinkle the arugula leaves with lemon juice.
a. to taint
El escándalo de corrupción salpicó a todos en el Congreso.The corruption scandal tainted everyone in Congress.
b. to ruin
El caso de acoso sexual salpicó a dos miembros del cuerpo docente.Two members of the faculty were ruined by the sexual harassment case.
a. to pepper
Su primer poema estaba salpicado de repeticiones y metáforas.Her first poem was peppered with repetition and metaphor.
Copyright © 2025 Dictionary Media Group, Inc.
chapotear(
chah
-
poh
-
teh
-
ahr
)
An intransitive verb is one that does not require a direct object (e.g., The man sneezed.).
intransitive verb
a. to splash around
Los niños chapoteaban en la piscina.The kids splashed around in the pool.
b. to splash about
La niña chapoteaba en un charco.The little girl was splashing about in a puddle.
c. to splash
A los cerdos les encanta chapotear en el barro.Pigs love splashing in the mud.
Copyright © 2025 Dictionary Media Group, Inc.