Spanish Conversation · Level 87
60 words
Spanish word
aferrar
Pronunciation
IPA/afeˈraɾ/
Meaning
- verbhold on to
Example
Cuando el barco se movió, se aferró a la cuerda.
When the boat moved, he held on to the rope.
More examples
Aun sin pruebas, se aferró a su teoría.
Even without evidence, he clung to his theory.
Core concept
Hands gripping a rope tightly.
Common phrases
aferrarse a algo
hold on to something
aferrarse a la vida
cling to life
aferrarse a una idea
cling to an idea
Similar words
empeñarse: Insists on pursuing a goal through determined, sustained effort.
apegarse: Becomes emotionally bonded to someone or something and resists letting go.
agarrar: Seizes an object firmly by hand to prevent it from slipping.
sujetar: Secures or restrains an object to keep it from moving.
Definition in Spanish
Asir o sujetar firmemente; en uso pronominal (aferrarse a) expresar no querer abandonar una idea, esperanza o costumbre.
Word origin
From ferrar 'to shoe with iron' (from Latin ferrum 'iron') with prefix a- giving a fastening sense, so aferrar originally meant to fasten firmly and came to mean hold on to.
Usage tips
- Aferrarse normally appears as aferrarse a + noun to mean cling to an idea, hope, or custom and often sounds critical when used about people, while sujetar is a neutral verb for physical holding.