perseguir
/peɾseˈɡiɾ/
To chase in Spanish is perseguir.
The verb perseguir means to pursue or to follow at speed. While it is used for physical movement, it is also commonly used figuratively to describe chasing goals, dreams or ideals, such as in the phrase perseguir un sueño (to chase a dream).
Meaning: to pursue, to follow at speed (verb)
Which one should you use?
It is important to distinguish perseguir from seguir. While perseguir implies chasing or pursuing someone or something with the intent to catch them, seguir means to follow a path or a person without that specific connotation of a chase.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The verb changes based on the tense and person. The gerund form is persiguiendo (chasing). In the present indicative, the third-person singular form is persigue (he/she chases) and in the preterite tense, the third-person singular form is persiguió (he/she chased).
How do you pronounce it?
/peɾseˈɡiɾ/
Did you know?
- The word perseguir is a distant cousin of the English word 'persecute'. Both share the same Latin root meaning to follow someone continuously.
- In legal contexts, perseguir is used to describe the act of prosecuting a crime or pursuing a legal case.
- If you are being 'chased' by a nagging thought or a memory, Spanish uses perseguir to describe that mental haunting.
Examples in context
- Creo que es perseguir un imposible.I think it's a wild goose chase.This sentence uses perseguir to express the idiom of a wild goose chase.Tatoeba #5823358 by albrusgher, translation #1887718 by CK
- A nuestro gato no le gusta perseguir ratones.Our cat doesn't like to chase mice.This sentence shows how to use perseguir regarding an animal's behavior.Tatoeba #13935948 by carlosalberto, translation #13935752 by Ioan_Cristian
- Al gatito le encantaba perseguir las monedas que iban rodando.The kitten loved to chase rolling coins.This sentence demonstrates using perseguir for an animal following a moving object.Tatoeba #6402543 by mervert1, translation #5797564 by Eccles17
- La policía persiguió al delincuente por las calles de la ciudad.The police chased the criminal through the city streets.
Example conversation
Elena and Daniel are watching a dog in the park.
- ElenaMira al perro, quiere perseguir esa pelota.Look at the dog, he wants to chase that ball.
- DanielEs muy rápido, va a alcanzarla pronto.He is very fast, he will catch it soon.
- Elena¡Cuidado! No debe perseguir a los otros perros.Careful! He shouldn't chase the other dogs.
- DanielNo te preocupes, Daniel lo tiene controlado.Don't worry, Daniel has him under control.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “chase” translations and entries perseguir, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries perseguir, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
