pisar
/piˈsaɾ/
The English phrase 'to step on' is translated into Spanish as pisar.
Pisar means to place your foot on something or someone. Beyond this literal physical action, the verb can also be used figuratively to express the idea of trampling or infringing upon rights or boundaries.
How does it change in a sentence?
Pisar is a regular -ar verb in the present tense.
How do you pronounce it?
/piˈsaɾ/
What mistakes should you avoid?
English speakers often mistakenly use a preposition like 'en' after pisar, but in Spanish, the object follows the verb directly without a preposition.
Did you know?
- The word pisar is a distant cousin to the English word 'piston'. Both words trace back to a common ancestor meaning 'to pound' or 'to press'.
- In Spanish, you can use pisar to describe the act of visiting or stopping by a place, as in pisar tierra when a sailor finally returns to land.
- The expression pisar el palote is used in some regions to describe making a clumsy mistake or 'stepping on a rake'.
Examples in context
- Disculpa. No quería pisarte.I'm sorry. I didn't mean to step on you.This sentence is useful for apologizing when you didn't mean to step on someone using the form pisar.Tatoeba #1122710 by ildefonk, translation #1126755 by AlanF_US
- Tom no quiso pisarle el pie a Mary.Tom didn't mean to step on Mary's foot.This sentence is useful for describing an accidental action involving a foot using the form pisar.Tatoeba #1434045 by marcelostockle, translation #1029278 by CK
- Por favor, tenga cuidado de no pisar el césped recién cortado.Please be careful not to step on the freshly cut grass.
- Le ruego que no ponga el pie en la alfombra recién limpiada.I kindly ask you not to step on the freshly cleaned carpet.
- Evite comprometer el buen estado de los azulejos al caminar sobre ellos.Avoid compromising the good condition of the tiles by walking on them.
- ¡Cuidado! No pises el charco que hay en el suelo.Be careful! Don't step on the puddle on the floor.
- Ten cuidado de no pisar el charco.Be careful not to step on the puddle.
Example conversation
Daniel and María are walking through a garden.
- Daniel¡Mira, María! Hay flores por todas partes.Look, María! There are flowers everywhere.
- MaríaSí, pero no vayas a pisar las rosas.Yes, but don't step on the roses.
- DanielNo te preocupes, caminaré con cuidado.Don't worry, I will walk carefully.
- MaríaEstá bien, Daniel, solo ten cuidado.Alright, Daniel, just be careful.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry pisar, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries pisar, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
