Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| látigo | /ˈlatiɡo/ | masculine |
| zurriagazo | /θurjaˈɡaθo/ /surjaˈɡaso/ |
masculine |
| latigazo | /latiˈɡaθo/ /latiˈɡaso/ |
masculine |
In Spanish, the term used depends on whether you are referring to the physical object, the specific blow or a sudden movement. While látigo is the noun for the physical whip itself, other terms describe the strike. For example, latigazo refers to the single act or sound of a whip striking something and it is frequently used metaphorically to describe a sudden, sharp physical sensation or movement, such as a latigazo cervical (whiplash). The term zurriagazo is a more specific term for a blow delivered with a whip. If you wish to describe a sharp blow or hit, you can use fustazo. To describe the act of striking with a lash as a verb, you can use fustigar or hostigar. Note that if you are referring to an eyelash, the term is pestaña and the term Chicote can also mean a lash or whip.
Which one should you use?
Látigo refers to the physical whip, whereas latigazo refers to the single act or sound of the whip striking. Zurriagazo is a more specific and often more literary term for a blow delivered with a whip compared to latigazo.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Latin America, particularly in Mexico, the word Chicote is used for a lash or whip. In Spain, the word Fustazo is used to describe a sharp blow or hit.
Related words
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈlatiɡo/
Did you know?
- The word látigo may actually share a common ancestor with the English word 'lead', stemming from a Proto-Germanic root meaning 'to lead' with a 'rope'.
- Despite the similar sound and meaning, the word for 'eyelash', pestaña, has no linguistic connection to the words for a whip.
- The verb fustigar can be used to describe the physical act of lashing, but it is also frequently used metaphorically to mean 'to harass' or 'to criticize harshly'.
Example sentences for Spanish are not verified yet.
Example conversation
Two people are discussing a historical painting.
- SofíaMira este cuadro, es muy violento.Look at this painting, it is very violent.
- AlejandroSí, se ve el golpe del látigo.Yes, you can see the strike of the lash.
- SofíaEs una escena muy triste, Alejandro.It is a very sad scene, Alejandro.
- AlejandroTienes razón, Sofía.You are right, Sofía.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “lash” translations and entries látigo, zurriagazo, latigazo, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries latigazo, látigo, zurriagazo, CC BY-SA 4.0.
