reventar

The Spanish verb "reventar" has several related meanings, mostly associated with the idea of bursting, breaking, or exploding. Here's an explanation of the word:

Meaning

1. To burst or explode
   This is the most literal and common meaning of reventar. It refers to something that suddenly breaks apart or breaks open usually with force.

   • Example: El globo va a reventar. (The balloon is going to burst.)
   • Example: La tubería reventó y se inundó la casa. (The pipe burst and the house got flooded.)

2. To exhaust or wear out (someone or something)
   Used figuratively, it means to wear someone out, tire them very much, or exhaust resources.

   • Example: El trabajo me reventó. (The work exhausted me.)
   • For animals or machines, it can mean to overwork or overuse.

3. To break or smash something forcefully
   It can also be used when someone breaks something by force.

   • Example: Reventaron la puerta para entrar. (They smashed the door to get in.)

4. To kill or wound (in a violent context)
   Informally, it could also mean to inflict harm or cause death, although this is less common.

   • Example: Lo reventaron a golpes. (They beat him up badly.)

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Word Parts

• The root is "ventar", related to the Latin root "vent-" meaning "blow" or "wind," though the prefix "re-" in Spanish often intensifies or indicates repetition, suggesting the action of "bursting" or exploding strongly.

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Synonyms

• Estallar (to explode/burst)
• Explotar (to explode)
• Romper (to break)
• Agotar (to exhaust - for the figurative sense)
• Cansar (to tire)

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Antonyms

• Reparar (to repair, opposite of breaking)
• Guardar (to keep or save)
• Descansar (to rest, opposite of exhausting)
• Arreglar (to fix)

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In summary, "reventar" primarily means "to burst" or "to break open violently" but is also used figuratively to mean exhausting or wearing out.