tragar
/tɾaˈɡaɾ/
To swallow in Spanish is tragar. Wiktionary also lists engullir and deglutir.
Meaning: to cause to pass from the mouth into the stomach (verb)
Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| tragar | /tɾaˈɡaɾ/ | |
| engullir | /enɡuˈʝiɾ/ | |
| deglutir | /deɡluˈtiɾ/ | formal |
| ingurgitar | /inɡuɾxiˈtaɾ/ | |
| gandir | /ɡandiɾ/ (from spelling rules) |
The verb describes the action of causing something to pass from the mouth into the stomach. While tragar is the standard term, you may also encounter engullir, ingurgitar or gandir. Note that the noun for the bird species known as a swallow is golondrina.
Which one should you use?
While several verbs mean to swallow, deglutir is specifically used for the physiological act of swallowing and is common in scientific or medical contexts.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
If you are in a medical or technical setting, use the formal term deglutir.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
When using the word in a figurative sense, such as swallowing one's pride or a secret, it is common to use the pronominal form tragarse.
How do you pronounce it?
/tɾaˈɡaɾ/
Did you know?
- One theory suggests that tragar may be related to the word for 'dragon' via a term for 'underground cavern' that swallows things up.
- The word engullir is derived from gula, which is the same root used for the 'gluttony' of the seven deadly sins.
- The verb ingurgitar implies not just swallowing, but filling oneself up to capacity, often used to describe an excessive intake of liquids.
Examples in context
- No puedo ni tragar.I can't even swallow.This sentence demonstrates the use of tragar regarding the physical ability to swallow.Tatoeba #8352032 by adroguense, translation #6382877 by OsoHombre
- ¿Cómo va a tragar ese pan?How is he going to swallow that bread?This sentence shows how to use tragar when asking about the consumption of food.Tatoeba #11915634 by JSKabylie15, translation #14031271 by mexicanhere
- Tenés que tragarte tu orgullo.You need to swallow your pride.This sentence illustrates the figurative use of the verb with the pronominal form tragarte.Tatoeba #3007709 by hayastan, translation #2209753 by Hybrid
- Las aves tienen la capacidad de tragar rápidamenteBirds have the ability to swallow quickly
- Asegúrate de masticar bien antes de tragarMake sure to chew well before swallowing
- El proceso de deglutir se realiza involuntariamenteThe process of swallowing occurs involuntarily
- Los músculos de la garganta ayudan a deglutir el alimentoThe throat muscles help to swallow the food
- No te rías mientras comes, podrías tragártelo por equivocaciónDon't laugh while you eat, you might swallow it accidentally
- Después del ejercicio, estaba tan hambriento que engullí toda la comidaAfter exercising, I was so hungry that I swallowed all the food
- Laura siempre engulle sus alimentos sin saborearlosLaura always gulps down her food without tasting it
- 7 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Elena is helping Daniel take some medicine.
- ElenaDaniel, tienes que tragar la pastilla ahora.Daniel, you have to swallow the pill now.
- DanielEs muy grande, no puedo tragarla.It is very big, I can't swallow it.
- ElenaBebe un poco de agua primero.Drink a little water first.
- DanielEstá bien, ya pude tragarla.All right, I was able to swallow it.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “swallow” translations and entries tragar, engullir, deglutir, ingurgitar, 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 deglutir, engullir, ingurgitar, tragar, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
