Estallar Conjugation in Spanish
estallar means "to burst, to explode" in English, and it comes up when people talk about the balloon at the party, the tyre on the road, the laughter in the classroom and the conflict between the neighbours. This page gives you the complete conjugation of estallar in every tense and mood — present, preterite, imperfect, future, conditional, the four perfect tenses, both subjunctive tenses and the imperative — with all six persons, plus the gerund and the past participle. Every form below comes from VerbFlow's verified conjugation tables, so you can trust the accents and the spelling changes. estallar is a regular -ar verb, and the notes under each tense explain exactly where it follows the rules and where it breaks them. To hear it in a real sentence: Cada día, yo estallo el globo en la fiesta. — "Every day, I burst the balloon at the party." Work through the tables, read the notes, then test yourself with the quiz at the end of the page.
Quick facts
- Infinitive: estallar
- English: to burst, to explode
- Verb type: regular -ar verb
- Gerund: estallando
- Past participle: estallado
- Auxiliary verb: haber (all compound tenses use haber + estallado)
Full conjugation table
Every tense of estallar with all six persons. The gerund is estallando and the past participle is estallado.
Present indicative
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| yo | estallo |
| tú | estallas |
| él/ella/Ud. | estalla |
| nosotros/as | estallamos |
| vosotros/as | estalláis |
| ellos/ellas/Uds. | estallan |
Preterite (past)
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| yo | estallé |
| tú | estallaste |
| él/ella/Ud. | estalló |
| nosotros/as | estallamos |
| vosotros/as | estallasteis |
| ellos/ellas/Uds. | estallaron |
Imperfect
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| yo | estallaba |
| tú | estallabas |
| él/ella/Ud. | estallaba |
| nosotros/as | estallábamos |
| vosotros/as | estallabais |
| ellos/ellas/Uds. | estallaban |
Future
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| yo | estallaré |
| tú | estallarás |
| él/ella/Ud. | estallará |
| nosotros/as | estallaremos |
| vosotros/as | estallaréis |
| ellos/ellas/Uds. | estallarán |
Conditional
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| yo | estallaría |
| tú | estallarías |
| él/ella/Ud. | estallaría |
| nosotros/as | estallaríamos |
| vosotros/as | estallaríais |
| ellos/ellas/Uds. | estallarían |
Present perfect
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| yo | he estallado |
| tú | has estallado |
| él/ella/Ud. | ha estallado |
| nosotros/as | hemos estallado |
| vosotros/as | habéis estallado |
| ellos/ellas/Uds. | han estallado |
Pluperfect
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| yo | había estallado |
| tú | habías estallado |
| él/ella/Ud. | había estallado |
| nosotros/as | habíamos estallado |
| vosotros/as | habíais estallado |
| ellos/ellas/Uds. | habían estallado |
Future perfect
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| yo | habré estallado |
| tú | habrás estallado |
| él/ella/Ud. | habrá estallado |
| nosotros/as | habremos estallado |
| vosotros/as | habréis estallado |
| ellos/ellas/Uds. | habrán estallado |
Conditional perfect
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| yo | habría estallado |
| tú | habrías estallado |
| él/ella/Ud. | habría estallado |
| nosotros/as | habríamos estallado |
| vosotros/as | habríais estallado |
| ellos/ellas/Uds. | habrían estallado |
Present subjunctive
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| yo | estalle |
| tú | estalles |
| él/ella/Ud. | estalle |
| nosotros/as | estallemos |
| vosotros/as | estalléis |
| ellos/ellas/Uds. | estallen |
Imperfect subjunctive (-ra)
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| yo | estallara |
| tú | estallaras |
| él/ella/Ud. | estallara |
| nosotros/as | estalláramos |
| vosotros/as | estallarais |
| ellos/ellas/Uds. | estallaran |
Imperative (affirmative)
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| tú | estalla |
| él/ella/Ud. | estalle |
| nosotros/as | estallemos |
| vosotros/as | estallad |
| ellos/ellas/Uds. | estallen |
Imperative (negative)
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| tú | estalles |
| él/ella/Ud. | estalle |
| nosotros/as | estallemos |
| vosotros/as | estalléis |
| ellos/ellas/Uds. | estallen |
Notes on each tense
A short note for every tense: when it is used, one example, and anything irregular about estallar in that tense.
Present indicative
The present indicative of estallar is used for routines, habits, general truths and things happening right now. Cada día, yo estallo el globo en la fiesta. — "Every day, I burst the balloon at the party." For estallar this tense follows the regular -ar pattern: the stem estall- plus the usual endings. Learn the six forms in the table above, and practise them with the complements in the examples section below.
Preterite (past)
The preterite (past) of estallar is used for one action that started and finished in the past. Ayer, yo estallé el neumático en la carretera. — "Yesterday, I burst the tyre on the road." For estallar this tense follows the regular -ar pattern: the stem estall- plus the usual endings. Say each form aloud with the complement after it, so the person and the ending stay linked in your memory.
Imperfect
The imperfect of estallar is used for an ongoing or repeated action in the past, background description and habits that no longer happen. Antes, yo estallaba la risa en la clase. — "In the past, I used to burst the laughter in the classroom." For estallar this tense follows the regular -ar pattern: the stem estall- plus the usual endings. Compare the forms with the present tense as you learn them, and the pattern will stay clear.
Future
The future of estallar is used for what will happen, plans and predictions. Mañana, nosotros estallaremos el conflicto entre los vecinos. — "Tomorrow, we will burst the conflict between the neighbours." For estallar this tense follows the regular -ar pattern: the stem estall- plus the usual endings. Learn the six forms in the table above, and practise them with the complements in the examples section below.
Conditional
The conditional of estallar is used for what would happen, hypothetical situations and polite requests. Si pudieras, tú estallarías el globo en la fiesta. — "If you could, you would burst the balloon at the party." For estallar this tense follows the regular -ar pattern: the stem estall- plus the usual endings. Say each form aloud with the complement after it, so the person and the ending stay linked in your memory.
Present perfect
The present perfect of estallar is used for an action completed in the recent past that still matters now, or life experience up to now. Yo he estallado el neumático en la carretera. — "I have burst the tyre on the road." For estallar this tense follows the regular -ar pattern: the stem estall- plus the usual endings. Compare the forms with the present tense as you learn them, and the pattern will stay clear.
Pluperfect
The pluperfect of estallar is used for an action that had already happened before another past action. Antes de la fiesta, yo había estallado la risa en la clase. — "Before the party, I had burst the laughter in the classroom." For estallar this tense follows the regular -ar pattern: the stem estall- plus the usual endings. Learn the six forms in the table above, and practise them with the complements in the examples section below.
Future perfect
The future perfect of estallar is used for an action that will be finished by a point in the future. Para mañana, yo habré estallado el conflicto entre los vecinos. — "By tomorrow, I will have burst the conflict between the neighbours." For estallar this tense follows the regular -ar pattern: the stem estall- plus the usual endings. Say each form aloud with the complement after it, so the person and the ending stay linked in your memory.
Conditional perfect
The conditional perfect of estallar is used for what would have happened if things had been different. Si hubiera podido, yo habría estallado el globo en la fiesta. — "If I had been able to, I would have burst the balloon at the party." For estallar this tense follows the regular -ar pattern: the stem estall- plus the usual endings. Compare the forms with the present tense as you learn them, and the pattern will stay clear.
Present subjunctive
The present subjunctive of estallar is used for wishes, doubts, emotions and requests after expressions such as espero que. Espero que él estalle el neumático en la carretera. — "I hope that he/she bursts the tyre on the road." For estallar this tense follows the regular -ar pattern: the stem estall- plus the usual endings. Learn the six forms in the table above, and practise them with the complements in the examples section below.
Imperfect subjunctive (-ra)
The imperfect subjunctive (-ra) of estallar is used for the same subjunctive meanings in the past, and in si clauses about unreal situations. Si él estallara la risa en la clase, todo saldría mejor. — "If he/she burst the laughter in the classroom, everything would turn out better." For estallar this tense follows the regular -ar pattern: the stem estall- plus the usual endings. Say each form aloud with the complement after it, so the person and the ending stay linked in your memory.
Imperative (affirmative)
The imperative (affirmative) of estallar is used for orders, instructions and invitations. ¡Estalla el conflicto entre los vecinos! — "Burst the conflict between the neighbours!" For estallar this tense follows the regular -ar pattern: the stem estall- plus the usual endings. Compare the forms with the present tense as you learn them, and the pattern will stay clear.
Imperative (negative)
The imperative (negative) of estallar is used for prohibitions and negative orders. No estalles el globo en la fiesta. — "Do not burst the balloon at the party." For estallar this tense follows the regular -ar pattern: the stem estall- plus the usual endings. Learn the six forms in the table above, and practise them with the complements in the examples section below.
Examples: estallar in real sentences
Ten sentences with estallar, one for each main tense, each with its English translation. Read them aloud, then try changing the person and the complement to make your own versions.
- Cada día, yo estallo el globo en la fiesta. — "Every day, I burst the balloon at the party." This is the present tense, used for a habit.
- Ayer, yo estallé el neumático en la carretera. — "Yesterday, I burst the tyre on the road." This is the preterite, one finished action.
- Antes, yo estallaba la risa en la clase. — "In the past, I used to burst the laughter in the classroom." This is the imperfect, a repeated action in the past.
- Mañana, nosotros estallaremos el conflicto entre los vecinos. — "Tomorrow, we will burst the conflict between the neighbours." This is the future tense, a plan for tomorrow.
- Si pudieras, tú estallarías el globo en la fiesta. — "If you could, you would burst the balloon at the party." This is the conditional, something that would happen.
- Yo he estallado el neumático en la carretera. — "I have burst the tyre on the road." This is the present perfect, an action with present relevance.
- Espero que él estalle la risa en la clase. — "I hope that he/she bursts the laughter in the classroom." This is the present subjunctive, after espero que.
- Si él estallara el conflicto entre los vecinos, todo saldría mejor. — "If he/she burst the conflict between the neighbours, everything would turn out better." This is the imperfect subjunctive, in a si clause.
- ¡Estalla el globo en la fiesta! — "Burst the balloon at the party!" This is the imperative, a direct order or request.
- Ahora, Yo estoy estallando el neumático en la carretera. — "Now, I am bursting the tyre on the road." This is the progressive, with estar and the gerund.
Common mistakes with estallar
The errors learners actually make with estallar, each with the wrong form, the right form, and why it is wrong.
Mistake 1: Adding a reflexive pronoun that does not belong
- Wrong: Yo me estallo el globo en la fiesta.
- Right: Yo estallo el globo en la fiesta.
- Why: estallar is not reflexive, so there is no pronoun to add. Yo estallo el globo en la fiesta. is the correct sentence, and the extra pronoun changes the meaning.
Mistake 2: Dropping the accent on the vosotros form
- Wrong: Vosotros estallais el globo en la fiesta.
- Right: Vosotros estalláis el globo en la fiesta.
- Why: The vosotros form estalláis carries a written accent. Without it the word is misspelled, and in writing the accent is part of the form.
Mistake 3: Using the present tense for yesterday
- Wrong: Ayer, yo estallo el neumático en la carretera.
- Right: Ayer, yo estallé el neumático en la carretera.
- Why: Ayer means yesterday, so the action is finished and needs the preterite. The present tense is for habits and routines, not for yesterday: Ayer, yo estallé el neumático en la carretera. — "Yesterday, I burst the tyre on the road."
Mistake 4: Mixing up the gerund and the participle
- Wrong: Estoy estallado la risa en la clase.
- Right: Estoy estallando la risa en la clase.
- Why: After estar you need the gerund estallando for the progressive. The participle estallado goes with haber in the perfect tenses (he estallado), never after estar.
Mistake 5: Using the él form for nosotros
- Wrong: Nosotros estalla el globo en la fiesta.
- Right: Nosotros estallamos el globo en la fiesta.
- Why: The person and the ending must match: nosotros takes estallamos, while estalla belongs to él and ella. Check the person first, then choose the form.
Quiz: estallar conjugation
Test yourself with ten questions on estallar. The answers are explained, so read them even when you get a question right.
1. What is the yo form of estallar in the present tense?
- (a) estallas
- (b) estalla
- (c) estallamos
- (d) estallo
Answer: (d) estallo. The yo form is estallo. Check the person before you answer.
2. What is the tú form of estallar in the present tense?
- (a) estalla
- (b) estallamos
- (c) estallas
- (d) estallo
Answer: (c) estallas. The tú form is estallas. Check the person before you answer.
3. What is the él/ella form of estallar in the present tense?
- (a) estallamos
- (b) estalla
- (c) estallo
- (d) estallas
Answer: (b) estalla. The él/ella form is estalla. Check the person before you answer.
4. What is the nosotros form of estallar in the present tense?
- (a) estallamos
- (b) estallo
- (c) estallas
- (d) estalla
Answer: (a) estallamos. The nosotros form is estallamos. Check the person before you answer.
5. What is the ellos/ellas form of estallar in the present tense?
- (a) estallo
- (b) estallas
- (c) estalla
- (d) estallan
Answer: (d) estallan. The ellos/ellas form is estallan. Check the person before you answer.
6. What is the gerund of estallar?
- (a) estallado
- (b) estallo
- (c) estallar
- (d) estallando
Answer: (d) estallando. The gerund is estallando, used for the progressive: estoy estallando.
7. What is the past participle of estallar?
- (a) estallé
- (b) estallar
- (c) estallado
- (d) estallando
Answer: (c) estallado. The past participle is estallado, used with haber in all perfect tenses: he estallado.
8. Complete the sentence: Cada día, yo ___ el globo en la fiesta.
- (a) estallamos
- (b) estallo
- (c) estallas
- (d) estalla
Answer: (b) estallo. The sentence needs the yo form estallo (Every day, I burst the balloon at the party.)
9. What is the yo form of estallar in the preterite?
- (a) estallé
- (b) estallaste
- (c) estalló
- (d) estallamos
Answer: (a) estallé. The yo preterite is estallé. The preterite describes one finished action.
10. Complete the sentence: Espero que él ___ la risa en la clase.
- (a) estallemos
- (b) estalléis
- (c) estalle
- (d) estalles
Answer: (c) estalle. After espero que Spanish needs the subjunctive, and the él form is estalle.
Frequently asked questions about estallar
Is estallar regular?
Yes. estallar is a regular -ar verb: estallo, estallé, estallaba, estallaré. There are no spelling changes and no stem changes, so once you know the endings you can conjugate it in every tense.
What does estallar mean, and when do I use it?
estallar means "to burst, to explode" in English. Use it when you talk about the balloon at the party, the tyre on the road, the laughter in the classroom and the conflict between the neighbours — for example: Yo estallo el globo en la fiesta. — "I burst the balloon at the party." It is a practical verb for everyday conversation, and it appears in all the tenses on this page.
How do you say it in a real sentence?
A natural sentence is: Yo estallo el globo en la fiesta. — "I burst the balloon at the party." Change the person using the table above, and change the complement to talk about your own life: the verb stays the same, only the ending changes.
Is there a reflexive form of estallar?
No. estallar is not reflexive, so it is used without a pronoun: Yo estallo el globo en la fiesta. — "I burst the balloon at the party." Adding me, te or se would change the meaning, so keep the verb plain unless you mean the reflexive partner.
When do I use the present tense instead of the preterite with estallar?
Use the present for habits and routines: Yo estallo el globo en la fiesta. — "I burst the balloon at the party." Use the preterite for one finished action: Ayer, yo estallé el globo en la fiesta. — "Yesterday, I burst the balloon at the party." If the action happens regularly, choose the present; if it happened once and is finished, choose the preterite.