irrumpir
verbCEFR B2
What does “irrumpir” mean in English?
to burst in, to break onto the scene
to burst in, to break onto the scene (irrumpir en; sudden disruptive entry into a physical or metaphorical space)
Example sentences
Una nueva generación de emprendedores ha irrumpido en el mercado con modelos de negocio que desafían a los actores establecidos.
A new generation of entrepreneurs has burst onto the market with business models that challenge established players.
La tecnología de la IA irrumpió en casi todos los sectores de la economía en cuestión de pocos años.
AI technology burst into almost every sector of the economy in the space of a few years.
Cuando irrumpieron en la sala, la reunión ya había terminado y los participantes estaban recogiendo sus cosas.
When they burst in, the meeting had already finished and the participants were packing up.
How to use it
Irrumpir (en) means 'to burst in', 'to break in', or 'to burst onto the scene'. It is an intransitive verb requiring the preposition en: irrumpir en la escena política, irrumpir en la sala. At B2 it typically describes an actor (person, group, technology) making a sudden or disruptive entry into a space or domain. Don't confuse with entrar (to enter — neutral) or estallar (to explode/break out — used for conflicts themselves rather than agents). Irrumpir always implies unexpectedness and disruption.
Common mistake
Irrumpir always needs en — *irrumpir la sala is wrong. It describes an agent entering a space (physical or metaphorical) suddenly and disruptively. Don't confuse with estallar (to break out/explode), which describes a crisis or conflict itself erupting, not someone entering. Also note: the political-entry sense (irrumpir en la escena) is figurative and very common in journalism.