Spanish word

agarrar

Pronunciation

IPA/aɣaˈraɾ/

Meaning

  • verbgrab

Example

¡Agarra la cuerda!

Grab the rope!

Illustration for agarrar (grab)

More examples

No pudo agarrar la oportunidad.

He couldn't seize the opportunity.

Core concept

Hand closing tightly around an object.

Common phrases

  • agarrar la mano

    grab someone's hand

  • agarrar el teléfono

    pick up the phone

  • agarrar una oportunidad

    seize an opportunity

Similar words

coger: Seizes an item with the hand and pulls it closer to oneself.
sostener: Keeps an object supported with the hand for a long period.
sujetar: Holds an object firmly in position so it does not move.
atrapar: Captures something that is moving quickly by overtaking or grabbing it.

Definition in Spanish

Tomar o sujetar algo con la mano de manera firme; también usarse en sentido figurado para aprovechar una oportunidad o contraer una enfermedad.

Word origin

The verb comes from medieval Spanish agarra-/agarrar, from the prefix a- plus garra 'claw', and it carries the sense of seizing or holding like a claw.

Usage tips

  • In many Latin American countries coger is vulgar, so speakers prefer agarrar for physical grabbing, for catching illnesses (agarrar un resfriado), and for seizing opportunities.

Other meanings

  • catchverb
  • takeverb

Opposites

Word lists with this word