Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| sacudir | /sakuˈdiɾ/ | |
| agitar | /axiˈtaɾ/ | |
| jamaquear | /xamakeaɾ/ (from spelling rules) | |
| zarandear | /θaɾandeˈaɾ/ /saɾandeˈaɾ/ |
|
| zabuquear | /θabukeaɾ/ (Spain, from spelling rules) /sabukeaɾ/ (Latin America, from spelling rules) |
|
| zangolotear | /θanɡoloteˈaɾ/ /sanɡoloteˈaɾ/ |
|
| solapear | /solapeaɾ/ (from spelling rules) | |
| cernear | /θeɾneaɾ/ (Spain, from spelling rules) /seɾneaɾ/ (Latin America, from spelling rules) |
|
| vapulear | /bapuleˈaɾ/ | |
| samaquear | /samakeaɾ/ (from spelling rules) | Latin America |
| zamaquear | /θamakeaɾ/ (Spain, from spelling rules) /samakeaɾ/ (Latin America, from spelling rules) |
Latin America |
| zabucar | /θabukaɾ/ (Spain, from spelling rules) /sabukaɾ/ (Latin America, from spelling rules) |
uncommon |
The Spanish language has several words for shake, depending on whether you are mixing a liquid, removing dust or moving something violently. Agitar is a versatile word used to mean shake or stir, specifically when shaking a liquid or mixture to combine ingredients. Sacudir is the term to use when shaking something vigorously, such as shaking a rug to remove dust or dirt. The noun form sacudida refers to a single shake, jolt or tremor, while batido is the word for a milkshake.
Which one should you use?
Choose your word based on the intensity and purpose of the action: use agitar for shaking liquids or mixtures like medicine or juice. Use sacudir for shaking something to remove dirt or to shake an object physically. Use zarandear when the shaking is rough or violent, often implying a lack of control.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In some Latin American regions, the colloquial term jamaquear is used to mean shaking or moving something back and forth. Other regional Latin American variations include samaquear and zamaquear.
Related words
How do you pronounce it?
/sakuˈdiɾ/
When do people say it?
In some Latin American countries, particularly Mexico, the phrase chocar las manos or chocar los cinco is used as slang to refer to a simple hand slap or high-five.
Did you know?
- The English word 'succussion', which refers to the act of shaking a liquid, shares the same Latin root as the Spanish verb sacudir.
- The word agitar is also used in Spanish to describe 'stirring up' a crowd or provoking political unrest.
- The Spanish word for milkshake, batido, comes from the verb for 'beating' or 'whipping' rather than 'shaking'.
Examples in context
- Agitar antes de usar.Shake before using.This sentence shows how to use agitar for instructions.Tatoeba #524772 by Shishir, translation #29932 by CM
- Yo sentí sacudirse la casa.I felt the house shake.This sentence uses sacudir to describe a physical sensation.Tatoeba #1174581 by marcelostockle, translation #24276 by CK
- Agitar la botella antes de usar.Shake the bottle before using.This sentence demonstrates using agitar with a specific object.Tatoeba #1009860 by Shishir, translation #245493 by CK
- Me gustaría estrechar su mano como muestra de respeto.I would like to shake your hand as a sign of respect.
- Agita bien el jugo de naranja antes de beberlo.Shake the orange juice well before drinking it.
- Nos saludamos chocando las manos.We greet each other by shaking hands.
- Le dimos los cinco para felicitarlo por su logro.We gave him a high-five to congratulate him on his achievement.
- 9 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
In the living room, Alejandro is cleaning the house.
- SofíaAlejandro, ¿puedes sacudir el polvo de la mesa?Alejandro, can you shake the dust off the table?
- AlejandroSí, Sofía, lo haré ahora mismo.Yes, Sofía, I will do it right now.
- SofíaGracias, la alfombra también necesita sacudirse.Thanks, the rug also needs to be shaken.
- AlejandroEstá bien, yo sacudo la alfombra también.Okay, I will shake the rug too.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “shake” translations and entries sacudir, agitar, zarandear, zangolotear, vapulear, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries agitar, sacudir, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
