Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA |
|---|---|
| golpear | /ɡolpeˈaɾ/ |
| pegar | /peˈɡaɾ/ |
| asestar | /asesˈtaɾ/ |
| propinar | /pɾopiˈnaɾ/ |
The most versatile and neutral way to express the physical act of striking an object or a person is to use golpear. Other related terms include the noun interpresa, which refers to a military attack that is not necessarily physical and the noun strike, which is used in the context of baseball.
Which one should you use?
While golpear is a general term for hitting, pegar is more common in everyday, informal speech. For more specific situations, asestar is used when describing the successful landing of a precise or heavy blow, such as asestar un golpe. Additionally, propinar is often used when 'dealing' or 'giving' a blow or a slap, frequently used with nouns like un bofetón.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Spain, the term huelgazo is used as a variant to emphasize a larger or more impactful strike.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
Golpear is a regular -ar verb in its conjugation patterns.
How do you pronounce it?
/ɡolpeˈaɾ/
When do people say it?
If you are referring to a large or significant strike (as in a labor strike), the informal term huelgón can be used.
Did you know?
- The suffix -azo can be added to many nouns to create a word for a strike with that object, such as portazo for a strike with a door.
- The verb propinar comes from a Latin term meaning 'to provide drink'. In modern Spanish, it shifted from offering a drink to 'offering' a blow or a slap.
- While pegar usually means to hit, it is also the standard word for 'to glue' or 'to stick' things together.
Examples in context
- La música debe pegar el fuego del corazón del hombre, y traer lágrimas a los ojos de la mujer.Music should strike fire from the heart of man, and bring tears from the eyes of woman.This sentence is useful for seeing how to use pegar in a poetic or metaphorical sense.Tatoeba #3560352 by carlosalberto, translation #3560324 by carlosalberto
- Los profesores han iniciado un paro para exigir mejores salarios.The teachers have begun a strike to demand better salaries.
- El sindicato anunció un paro general en solidaridad con los trabajadores despedidos.The union announced a general strike in solidarity with the laid-off workers.
- Los mineros están organizando un huelgón para protestar contra los recortes de suministro eléctrico.The miners are organizing a major strike to protest against the electricity supply cuts.
- El sector del transporte ha convocado un parazo para presionar al gobierno.The transportation sector has called for a major strike to pressure the government.
- El jugador debe golpear la pelota con fuerza.The player must hit the ball with force.
- No deberías golpear la mesa así.You shouldn't hit the table like that.
Example conversation
Alejandro and María are at a tennis practice.
- AlejandroMaría, trata de golpear la pelota con la raqueta.María, try to hit the ball with the racket.
- MaríaLo intento, Alejandro, pero es muy difícil.I am trying, Alejandro, but it is very difficult.
- AlejandroNo te preocupes, solo necesitas más práctica.Don't worry, you just need more practice.
- MaríaGracias, voy a seguir intentándolo.Thanks, I am going to keep trying.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “strike” translations and entries golpear, pegar, asestar, propinar, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries asestar, golpear, pegar, propinar, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
