atrápalo
/atɾapalo/from spelling rules
The English phrase 'get him' can be translated into Spanish as atrápalo.
This phrase is an exclamation used to tell someone to capture or catch a person who is running away. Note that atrápalo specifically refers to a physical capture. If your intention is to tell someone to find or locate a person, you should use búscalo instead.
What does it mean word for word?
The word atrápalo is composed of the imperative verb atrapa (catch) and the object pronoun lo (him).
Which one should you use?
Atrápalo is used for physical capture. In contrast, the forms Agárralo and Cógelo can mean both 'get him' and 'grab him'. Additionally, Ve a por él means 'go for him'.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In some Latin American countries, atrápalo might be used instead of agárralo in informal conversations.
How do you pronounce it?
/atɾapalo/
Did you know?
- In Spain, using the verb coger to mean 'get him' or 'grab him' is extremely common, but in many Latin American countries, it carries a heavy sexual connotation and is used to mean 'to have sex'.
- The verb atrapar is used in Spanish sports terminology for a 'trap' in soccer, referring to the act of controlling the ball with the foot.
- The verb atrapar shares a root with the English word 'trap'. This makes atrápalo a linguistic cousin to the English command 'trap him'.
Examples in context
- ¡Agárralo rápido!Get him quickly!
- ¡Atrápalo, se escapa por la puerta!Get him, he's escaping through the door!
- ¡Corre y atrápalo!Run and get him!
- ¡Atrápalo antes de que llegue al coche!Get him before he reaches the car!
Example conversation
A thief is running away from a shop.
- Mateo¡Mira, el ladrón tiene el bolso!Look, the thief has the bag!
- Elena¡Atrápalo, Mateo, corre!Get him, Mateo, run!
- Mateo¡Lo estoy intentando, pero es muy rápido!I am trying, but he is very fast!
- Elena¡No dejes que se escape!Don't let him escape!
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
