Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA |
|---|---|
| hurgar | /uɾˈɡaɾ/ |
| hincar | /inˈkaɾ/ |
The translation depends on the intent of the action. hurgar is used for poking through things or rummaging, and it is often used with the preposition 'en' to mean poking into or meddling in something. hincar is used for a forceful thrust or jab with a pointed object.
Which one should you use?
Use hurgar when the action involves searching through something or moving things around, such as rummaging through a bag. Use hincar when the action is a sharp, forceful thrusting of a pointed object, like a stick or a needle. If the 'poke' refers to a small, sharp prick, such as an insect bite or a needle prick, the verb picar is often more natural than both hurgar and hincar. The noun piquete can also be used to refer to a jab, thrust or prod.
Related words
How do you pronounce it?
/uɾˈɡaɾ/
Did you know?
- The Spanish word hurgar is an unexpected cousin of the English word 'ferret'. Both words share a common ancestor meaning 'thief', because a thief 'ferrets' or rummages through things to find valuables.
- In Spanish, hincar is used in the common idiom hincar los codos, which literally means to poke or dig one's elbows into a table.
- The noun piquete refers to a jab or a prick, but it is also the word used for a 'strike' or a protest by workers in many countries.
Examples in context
- Le di un toque en el hombro para llamar su atención.I gave him/her a poke on the shoulder to get his/her attention.
- De vez en cuando, él me pica en el brazo cuando quiere hacerme reír.Every now and then, he pokes me on the arm when he wants to make me laugh.
- Deja de pincharme, por favor. Estoy ocupado.Stop poking me, please. I'm busy.
- Me dio un golpecito en la espalda para sorprenderme.He/she gave me a poke on the back to surprise me.
- Ella empezó a hurgar la herida.She started to poke at the wound.
- El niño intenta hurgar en la caja.The boy tries to poke around in the box.
Example conversation
Elena and Javier are looking at a strange insect on a rock.
- ElenaMira ese bicho, ¿qué será?Look at that bug, what could it be?
- JavierNo lo vayas a hurgar con la rama, Javier.Don't go poking it with the branch, Javier.
- ElenaSolo quiero ver si se mueve.I just want to see if it moves.
- JavierMejor déjalo tranquilo.Better leave it alone.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “poke” translations and entries hurgar, hincar, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries hincar, hurgar, CC BY-SA 4.0.
