Spanish Conversation · Level 105
60 words
Spanish word
apretar
Pronunciation
IPA/apɾeˈtaɾ/
Meaning
- verbpress
Example
¿Puedes apretar el botón?
Can you press the button?
More examples
No debes apretar la tecla con demasiada fuerza.
You shouldn't press a key too hard.
Core concept
Hand using a wrench to tighten a bolt.
Common phrases
apretar el botón
press the button
apretar una tecla
press a key
apretar el freno
step on the brake
Similar words
presionar: Applies continuous or measured pressure to an object, causing it to be pressed.
empujar: Uses physical force to push something forward, displacing it through space.
pulsar: Quickly presses a small control or button with a finger to trigger a response.
oprimir: Exerts force to keep something or someone pressed down, limiting movement.
Definition in Spanish
Aplicar presión para compactar, sujetar o estrechar algo; por extensión, ejercer presión sobre una persona o situación para provocar una respuesta.
Word origin
From Latin premere 'to press', the verb enters Spanish through Romance changes as apretar and keeps the idea of applying pressure, including tightening and squeezing.
Usage tips
- Apretar often implies making something tighter or more compact, so use it for screws, tight clothing, or squeezing while presionar is a more neutral 'push'.
Other meanings
- tightenverb
- squeezeverb
Opposites
- aflojarloosenverb
- soltarreleaseverb
Related words
- apretadotightadjective
- apretónfirm gripnoun