Learning how to express different actions in another language is crucial for effective communication. In this guide, we’ll provide you with various ways to say “to lick” in Spanish, including both formal and informal expressions. While regional variations in Spanish exist, we will focus on widely used terms. So, let’s dive in and explore the colorful vocabulary of Spanish!
Table of Contents
Formal Expressions:
If you want to speak politely or use formal Spanish, here are some ways to convey the action of licking:
- Lamer: This is the most common, standard term for “to lick” in Spanish. It is used across different countries and regions. For instance:
Un perro lamió la cara del niño. (A dog licked the child’s face.)
- Relamer: This verb also means “to lick,” but with an emphasis on thoroughly licking or savoring something. For example:
El gato relamió la leche del plato. (The cat licked the milk from the dish.)
- Lametear: This is a less common synonym of “lamer.” It conveys a similar meaning but is less commonly used. An example sentence could be:
El niño lameteó el helado rápidamente. (The child quickly licked the ice cream.)
Informal Expressions:
When speaking casually or informally, you might want to use more colloquial terms to express the action of licking. Here are some informal variations:
- Chupar: While “chupar” commonly translates to “to suck,” it can also be used informally to mean “to lick” in certain contexts. For example:
Me gusta chupar los dedos después de comer helado. (I like to lick my fingers after eating ice cream.)
- Pasar la lengua: This expression literally means “to pass the tongue” and is used informally for licking. It is frequently used in Spain and some Latin American countries. For instance:
El perro pasó la lengua por toda la cara del niño. (The dog licked the child’s entire face.)
- Dar lametazos: This phrase, which can be translated as “to give licks,” is typically used when referring to animals licking. An example could be:
La vaca dio lametazos al cubo de sal. (The cow licked the salt block.)
Examples and Tips:
Now, let’s provide you with some additional examples and useful tips related to using the vocabulary presented above:
Example Sentences:
- Me encanta lamer el helado de chocolate. (I love licking chocolate ice cream.)
- Cuidado, el perro te va a lametear si te acercas. (Be careful, the dog will lick you if you get close.)
- Los gatos se relamen las patas limpiándose. (Cats lick their paws to clean themselves.)
- Siempre chupo las cucharas después de comer helado. (I always lick spoons after eating ice cream.)
- No me gusta cuando los niños pasan la lengua por los dulces antes de elegir uno. (I don’t like it when kids lick candies before choosing one.)
- La niña dio lametazos al cono de helado hasta que se derritió. (The girl licked the ice cream cone until it melted.)
Tips:
- Remember to use appropriate conjugations according to the subject of the sentence. For example, “El perro lame” (the dog licks) and “Nosotros lamemos” (we lick).
- Pay attention to the context and select the appropriate verb based on the intensity or purpose of the action to be conveyed.
- When in doubt, “lamer” is usually a safe and widely understood verb to use for “to lick.”
- Practice using these words in different sentences to make them a part of your active vocabulary.
- Explore Spanish media (movies, TV shows, songs) to familiarize yourself with how these verbs are used in different contexts.
Now armed with the knowledge of various formal and informal ways to say “to lick” in Spanish, you can confidently express yourself in different situations. Enjoy exploring the richness of the Spanish language and have fun incorporating these new words into your conversations!
