pegar
/peˈɡa(ʁ)/
The English phrase catch can be translated into Portuguese as pegar. Wiktionary also lists capturar and apanhar.
Meaning: to capture or snare (verb)
Ways to say it
| Portuguese | IPA |
|---|---|
| pegar | /peˈɡa(ʁ)/ (Brazil) /peˈɡa(ɾ)/ (São Paulo) |
| capturar | /kap.tuˈɾa(ʁ)/ (Brazil) /ka.pi.tuˈɾa(ʁ)/ (Brazil) |
| apanhar | /a.pɐ̃ˈɲa(ʁ)/ (Brazil) /a.pɐ̃ˈɲa(ɾ)/ (São Paulo) |
| pilhar | /piˈʎa(ʁ)/ (Brazil) /piˈʎa(ɾ)/ (São Paulo) |
The primary meaning is to capture or snare. In Brazil, the verb pegar is also used for catching transportation like buses or trains.
Which one should you use?
While pegar is the most common and versatile way to say 'to catch' or 'to grab' in everyday speech, capturar is a formal term used for more formal or serious contexts, such as capturing a criminal or a target.
Related words
How do you pronounce it?
/peˈɡa(ʁ)/
What mistakes should you avoid?
English speakers should be careful with pegar, as it can also mean 'to take' or 'to grab' an object, not just 'to catch' a moving target.
Did you know?
- Using pegar in certain contexts in Brazil can imply a romantic or sexual encounter, such as 'catching' or 'hooking up' with someone.
- The verb pegar originates from the Latin word 'picāre', which meant 'to smear with pitch'. This refers to the ancient practice of using sticky pitch to catch birds.
- The term apanhar can also mean 'to receive a beating' or to be physically punished in a colloquial sense.
Examples in context
- Tom não me pegará.Tom won't catch me.This sentence is useful for seeing how to use pegar in a negative future tense.Tatoeba #4997766 by ajdavidl, translation #2647852 by CK
- Eles vão te pegar.They will catch you.This sentence is useful for seeing how to use pegar to express a future action.Tatoeba #5236437 by ToinhoAlam, translation #2855966 by Amastan
- Eles não vão nos pegar.They're not going to catch us.This sentence is useful for seeing how to use pegar in a negative future construction.Tatoeba #8809552 by heo598, translation #4647264 by Hybrid
- 109 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Lucas and Beatriz are in the garden trying to catch a butterfly.
- BeatrizLucas, tente pegar aquela borboleta azul!Lucas, try to catch that blue butterfly!
- LucasEu vou tentar, mas ela é muito rápida.I will try, but it is very fast.
- BeatrizCuidado para não pegar ela com muita força.Be careful not to catch it too hard.
- LucasEu vou ser bem gentil, Beatriz.I will be very gentle, Beatriz.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “catch” translations and entries pegar, capturar, apanhar, pilhar, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries apanhar, capturar, pegar, pilhar, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
