dibujar
/dibuˈxaɾ/
To draw in Spanish is dibujar.
The most common and universal translation of "to draw" in Spanish is dibujar.
Which one should you use?
Use dibujar specifically for artistic drawing (with a pencil, pen, etc.), whereas atraer is used for 'to draw' in the sense of attracting or pulling something toward oneself.
How does it change in a sentence?
The noun for 'a drawing' is the same as the first-person singular present indicative form dibujo. The preterite (past tense) form for 'I drew' is dibujé. The gerund (present participle) form of 'dibujar' is dibujando.
How do you pronounce it?
/dibuˈxaɾ/
Did you know?
- To 'draw' a weapon or a sword is expressed as desenvainar in Spanish. This specific verb refers to the act of removing a blade from its scabbard.
- The word dibujar traces its roots back to the Old French word deboissier, which meant 'to remove from a block' or 'to carve'.
- While dibujar covers art, Spanish uses the verb empatar to describe 'drawing' a game or match. An English speaker using dibujar in a sports context would be misunderstood.
Examples in context
- A él le encanta dibujar.He loves to draw.Tatoeba #2139105 by hayastan, translation #12902220 by araneo
- Quiero aprender a dibujar.I want to learn how to draw.Tatoeba #9062106 by rafaeldejesus8199, translation #8056920 by CK
- Me gustaría dibujar un árbol.I would like to draw a tree.Tatoeba #602129 by hayastan, translation #1581914 by jubjubbird01
- 18 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Mateo and María are at an art class.
- Mateo¿Qué quieres dibujar hoy, María?What do you want to draw today, María?
- MaríaQuiero dibujar el paisaje.I want to draw the landscape.
- MateoYo voy a dibujar un gato.I am going to draw a cat.
- María¡Qué buena idea, Mateo!What a great idea, Mateo!
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry dibujar, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries dibujar, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
