Spanish word

estrellar

Pronunciation

IPA/estɾeˈʝaɾ/

Meaning

  • verbhit against

Example

El niño estrelló la pelota contra la ventana.

The child hit the ball against the window.

Illustration for estrellar (hit against)

More examples

Al girar la esquina, el ciclista se estrelló contra un poste.

Turning the corner, the cyclist crashed into a post.

Core concept

A glass cup shattering on the floor.

Common phrases

  • estrellar contra el suelo

    hit against the ground

  • estrellar la cabeza

    hit one's head

  • estrellar el coche

    crash the car

Similar words

chocar: Two items hit each other suddenly and forcefully in a collision.
romper: An item breaks so it no longer holds its original shape or function.
golpear: A person or object delivers a forceful hit using a hand or implement.
aplastar: Direct force presses an object down until its shape is crushed.

Definition in Spanish

Denota causar o sufrir un choque violento que suele romper, dañar o precipitar algo al suelo.

Word origin

Derives from estrella (Latin stella) and evokes a star-scattering image that gives the verb the sense of striking or smashing with disruptive force.

Usage tips

  • Often used reflexively (se estrelló) to mean crash or be wrecked, indicating that the subject suffered a violent impact.

Other meanings

  • collideverb
  • crashverb

Opposites

Related words

  • estrellamientocrashnoun
  • estrelladosmashedadjective

Word lists with this word