apretar
/apɾeˈtaɾ/
The English phrase "tighten up" is translated into Spanish as apretar.
The verb apretar is used both for physical tightening (like a screw or a knot) and for increasing pressure or intensity.
How does it change in a sentence?
If you are commanding a single person to tighten something up, you can use the imperative forms aprieta (informal) or apriete (formal).
How do you pronounce it?
/apɾeˈtaɾ/
Did you know?
- In some Spanish-speaking regions, apretar is used colloquially to mean 'to go to the bathroom' or 'to be pressed' when one urgently needs to urinate.
- The verb apretar is actually a linguistic 'rearrangement' of its ancestor. It stems from the Latin word pectus, meaning 'chest', but the sounds shifted and swapped places over centuries to create the modern Spanish form.
- The verb apretar can describe emotional intensity, such as when a sudden realization or fear is said to apretar el corazón, or 'tighten the heart'.
Examples in context
- Es importante que apriete los tornillos correctamente.It's important to tighten the screws properly.
- Asegúrese de ajustar bien el cinturón de seguridad.Make sure to fasten the seatbelt tightly.
- Deberíamos poner más tenso el cable para evitar caídas.We should tighten the cable to prevent falls.
- Hay que hacer más fuerte el nudo para evitar que se desate.You need to make the knot tighter to prevent it from coming undone.
- Ajusta bien la tapa para que no se derrame.Tighten the lid properly so it won't spill.
- aprieta el tornilloTighten the screw
- Tienes que apretar los tornillos un poco más.You have to tighten the screws a little more.
- Debes apretar el cinturón para que no se caiga.You should tighten the belt so it doesn't fall.
- No olvides apretar la tapa de la botella.Don't forget to tighten the bottle cap.
Example conversation
Javier is fixing a loose bicycle seat for Elena.
- ElenaJavier, la silla se mueve mucho.Javier, the seat moves a lot.
- JavierDéjame apretar los tornillos ahora mismo.Let me tighten the screws right now.
- Elena¿Ya está bien así?Is it okay like that now?
- JavierSí, ya la he apretado bien.Yes, I have tightened it well.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry apretar, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries apretar, CC BY-SA 4.0.
