Spanish word

inflar

Pronunciation

IPA/inˈflaɾ/

Meaning

  • verbpump up

Example

Necesito inflar la rueda de la bicicleta.

I need to pump up the bicycle tire.

Illustration for inflar (pump up)

More examples

Es fácil inflar el ego con halagos.

It's easy to inflate the ego with compliments.

Core concept

A balloon bulging while someone blows air through a pump.

Common phrases

  • inflar el balón

    inflate the ball

  • inflar el ego

    inflate the ego

Similar words

hinchar: Become swollen as air or liquid gathers inside, producing a visible puffing.
llenar: Fill a container or space with objects or liquid until the space is occupied.
bombear: Force air or liquid into or through something by operating a pump.
soplar: Expel air from the mouth or a tool to blow air into or across an object.

Definition in Spanish

Introducir aire u otro gas en algo para aumentar su volumen; en sentido figurado, exagerar o aumentar artificialmente cifras, precios o méritos.

Word origin

Derived from Latin inflāre ('in' + 'flāre' 'to blow'), describing the action of blowing air into an object and then used figuratively for inflating figures or reputations.

Usage tips

  • Common collocations are inflar los precios and inflar las cifras, and the reflexive inflarse appears colloquially to mean to gorge oneself or overindulge when eating.

Other meanings

  • inflateverb
  • exaggerateverb

Opposites

  • desinflardeflateverb

Related words

Word lists with this word