remolcar
/remolˈkaɾ/
The Spanish verb for "tow" is remolcar.
remolcar means to pull something using a line.
Meaning: pull something using a line (verb)
Which one should you use?
remolcar is used for towing vehicles or boats, whereas arrastrar is often used for dragging something heavy or cumbersome along the ground.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Spain, remolcar is the standard term for "to tow".
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The first-person singular preterite (past tense) of remolcar is remolqué, which means "I towed".
How do you pronounce it?
/remolˈkaɾ/
Did you know?
- Depending on the region, a 'tow truck' is not always a camión de remolque but is often called a grúa, which literally means 'crane'.
- The word remolcar shares a common ancestor with the Latin word remulcum, which specifically meant a 'towrope' or a heavy rope used for pulling.
- The word remolque is used both for the physical 'trailer' being towed and for the 'tow' itself.
Examples in context
- Por favor, remolque mi automóvil al taller más cercano.Please tow my car to the nearest repair shop.
- No te preocupes, llamaré a una grúa para que remolque tu motocicleta.Don't worry, I'll call a tow truck to tow your motorcycle.
- Voy a jalar tu carro hasta el taller mecánico.I'm going to tow your car to the mechanic's.
- Llamaré a una grúa para que remolque tu vehículo al aparcamiento.I'll call a tow truck to tow your vehicle to the parking lot.
- El camión remolcó el coche averiado.The truck towed the broken-down car.
- Necesitamos remolcar el coche averiado.We need to tow the broken car.
- El camión va a remolcar la caravana.The truck is going to tow the caravan.
- No puedes remolcar ese barco tan grande.You cannot tow that very large boat.
Example conversation
Lucía and Mateo are standing next to a car on the side of the road.
- Lucía¿Podemos remolcar el coche con tu camioneta?Can we tow the car with your truck?
- MateoSí, yo puedo remolcar tu vehículo sin problemas.Yes, I can tow your vehicle without problems.
- LucíaGracias, Mateo, me salvas la vida.Thank you, Mateo, you are saving my life.
- MateoNo hay de qué, Lucía, es un placer.You're welcome, Lucía, it's a pleasure.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “tow” translations and entries remolcar, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries remolcar, CC BY-SA 4.0.
