agacharse
/aɡaˈt͡ʃaɾse/
To crouch in Spanish is agacharse.
Agacharse is the most common way to say to crouch or to bend down.
Meaning: to bend down (verb)
What does it mean word for word?
The verb is composed of agachar (to lower/bend) and the reflexive pronoun se (oneself), literally meaning to bend oneself down.
Which one should you use?
While agacharse is the most common way to say 'to crouch' or 'to bend down', it is more general than ponerse de cuclillas, which specifically means to crouch down on one's haunches/toes.
How do you pronounce it?
/aɡaˈtʃaɾse/
Did you know?
- While agacharse is a general term, the word cuclillas comes from the old Spanish word cuclilla, which referred to a small stool or a low seat.
- In many Spanish-speaking countries, the phrase agachar la cabeza means 'to lower one's head', but it is used idiomatically to mean 'to submit' or 'to yield' to someone's authority.
- In certain contexts, agachar can be used to describe the act of lowering a window blind or a curtain, treating the object as if it were 'bending down'.
Examples in context
- Por favor, agáchese cuando pase por el umbral de la puertaPlease crouch when you pass through the doorway
- Los soldados flexionaron las piernas al recibir la ordenThe soldiers crouched upon receiving the order
- El ladrón adoptó una posición de cuclillas para esconderseThe thief crouched to hide
- La niña se cuclilló para recoger el jugueteThe girl crouched down to pick up the toy
- Juan se agachó para atarse los zapatos en medio del parque.Juan crouched down to tie his shoes in the middle of the park.
- Se agachó para recoger la moneda.He crouched down to pick up the coin.
Example conversation
Maria and Mateo are trying to find a lost toy under a table.
- MaríaMateo, tienes que agacharse para verlo.Mateo, you have to crouch to see it.
- MateoEstá muy oscuro aquí abajo.It is very dark down here.
- MaríaUsa la linterna mientras estás ahí.Use the flashlight while you are there.
- MateoYa lo encontré, aquí está.I found it, here it is.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry agacharse, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
