Spanish Conversation · Level 108
59 words
Spanish word
detallar
Pronunciation
IPA/detaˈʝaɾ/
Meaning
- verbexplain in detail
Example
El testigo detalló lo que vio.
The witness explained in detail what he saw.
More examples
Al escribir el manual, tienes que detallar los pasos claramente.
When writing the manual, you have to detail the steps clearly.
Core concept
A close-up view that points out small features one by one.
Common phrases
detallar los pasos
detail the steps
detallar la información
detail the information
Similar words
describir: Portrays something's appearance or characteristic traits clearly in words.
explicar: Explains reasons, causes, or procedures so they become clear and understandable.
contar: Relates events or happenings in order, presenting what occurred sequentially.
Definition in Spanish
Presentar y describir con detalle los componentes o aspectos de algo, sin omitir pormenores relevantes.
Word origin
Built from detalle (from Old French détail, from de- + tailler 'to cut'), so detallar literally means to set out the small parts and therefore to explain or describe the elements thoroughly.
Usage tips
- Although cognate with English 'detail', detallar is typically used for thorough, systematic accounts (reports, inventories) rather than brief or casual summaries.