noquear
/nokeˈaɾ/
The English phrase "knock out" can be translated into Spanish as noquear.
The verb is used to describe rendering someone unconscious, typically through a physical blow to the head.
Meaning: to render someone unconscious, as by a blow to the head (verb)
Which one should you use?
While noquear is the standard verb, the informal phrase Dejar KO is also used to express the same idea of leaving someone in a state of being knocked out.
How do you pronounce it?
/nokeˈaɾ/
Did you know?
- The origin of noquear is a direct phonetic imitation of the English word 'knockout'. It is an example of how English sporting terminology often influences Spanish boxing and combat sports vocabulary.
- In many Spanish-speaking countries, the abbreviation 'KO' is used as if it were a Spanish word. You might hear people say está KO to describe someone who is completely exhausted or defeated, even without a physical fight.
- While noquear describes the physical act, the term noqueado can also be used metaphorically in Spanish to describe someone who is stunned or speechless by a piece of news.
Examples in context
- Ese chico tiene un gancho de izquierda increíble, ¡te deja KO en segundos!That guy has an incredible left hook, he knocks you out within seconds!
- Robértico logró dormir a su oponente con un gancho al mentón.Robértico managed to knock out his opponent with a hook to the chin.
- El boxeador logró noquear a su rival.The boxer managed to knock out his rival.
- Ese golpe lo pudo noquear de inmediato.That blow could knock him out immediately.
- No quería noquear al oponente en la primera ronda.He did not want to knock out the opponent in the first round.
Example conversation
Two friends are discussing a recent boxing match at a cafe.
- Elena¿Viste cómo pudieron noquear a ese campeón?Did you see how they could knock out that champion?
- DanielSí, fue un golpe muy fuerte para él.Yes, it was a very strong blow for him.
- ElenaDaniel, nunca había visto algo tan impresionante.Daniel, I had never seen anything so impressive.
- DanielEs cierto, Elena, fue una sorpresa total.It's true, Elena, it was a total surprise.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “knock out” translations and entries noquear, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries noquear, CC BY-SA 4.0.
