pesar
/peˈsaɾ/
To weigh in Spanish is pesar.
The verb pesar is used to determine the weight of an object or to express how much something weighs. While English distinguishes between the action of weighing and the state of being a certain weight, pesar can be used for both.
Meaning: to determine the weight of an object (verb)
Is it said differently in some regions?
In regions such as Argentina, Uruguay and parts of Central America, you may encounter the informal question ¿Cuánto pesás?
How does it change in a sentence?
The third-person singular present form of pesar is pesa (weighs), and the third-person singular preterite form is pesó (weighed).
How do you pronounce it?
/peˈsaɾ/
What mistakes should you avoid?
Avoid using the adjective pesado (heavy) when you intend to state how much something weighs. Instead, use the verb pesar.
Did you know?
- The Spanish verb for 'to think', pensar, is a linguistic doublet of pesar. Both evolved from the Latin pēnsāre, reflecting the ancient idea that thinking is like weighing different options in one's mind.
- While pesar describes the act of weighing, the adjective pesado is frequently used as a colloquial insult to describe someone who is boring, clingy or tedious.
- In some contexts, the word pesar acts as a synonym for 'to regret'. For instance, the phrase lo siento is more common for an apology, but me pesa describes a deeper sorrow that weighs on the speaker.
Examples in context
- Un cerdo hormiguero adulto puede pesar hasta 100 kilogramos.An adult aardvark can weigh up to 100 kilograms.This sentence shows how to use pesar to state the weight of an animal.Tatoeba #7095061 by Eremon, translation #3025813 by patgfisher
- ¿Puede pesar este paquete?Will you weigh this parcel?This sentence uses pesar to ask someone to weigh a parcel.Tatoeba #740541 by darinmex, translation #267678 by CM
- En la luna yo pesaría sólo quince kilos.On the moon I would weigh only fifteen kilos.This sentence uses pesar to express weight in a conditional context.Tatoeba #639389 by darinmex, translation #639388 by darinmex
- ¿Cuánto pesa este objeto?How much does this object weigh?
- Necesito saber cuánto pesaI need to know how much it weighs
- Este paquete tiene un peso de cinco kilosThis package weighs five kilos
- La caja tiene un peso de veinte librasThe box has a weight of twenty pounds
- Me peso todas las mañanasI weigh myself every morning
- No me peso seguidoI don't weigh myself often
- 3 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Mateo and María are at a grocery store.
- MateoNecesito pesar estas manzanas antes de pagar.I need to weigh these apples before paying.
- MaríaLa báscula está justo allí, Mateo.The scale is right there, Mateo.
- Mateo¿Me ayudas a pesar la bolsa, por favor?Can you help me weigh the bag, please?
- MaríaClaro, María lo hará por ti.Sure, María will do it for you.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “weigh” translations and entries pesar, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries pesar, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
