Spanish word

golpear

Pronunciation

IPA/golpeˈaɾ/

Meaning

  • verbhit

Example

Me golpeaste ayer.

You hit me yesterday.

Illustration for golpear (hit)

More examples

No golpees la puerta, por favor.

Please don't knock on the door.

Core concept

A forceful blow that can injure a person or shake a situation.

Common phrases

  • golpear a alguien

    hit someone

  • golpear la puerta

    knock on the door

  • golpear fuerte

    hit hard

Similar words

pegar: Applies a hard blow using the hand or an object in everyday situations.
dar: Applies one brief strike with the hand or an object.
abofetear: Smacks the face with an open hand, a clear slap.
golpetear: Strikes gently many times in succession, light repeated taps.

Definition in Spanish

Aplicar fuerza para causar un golpe a alguien o algo; también usarse en sentido figurado para indicar que algo afecta fuertemente a una persona o situación.

Word origin

From the noun golpe 'blow' plus the verbal suffix -ar, with golpe ultimately related to Italian colpo and older Mediterranean words for 'strike'.

Usage tips

  • Used literally and figuratively, so expressions like 'la noticia me golpeó' mean the news affected someone emotionally rather than a physical hit.

Other meanings

  • strikeverb

Opposites

Related words

  • golpeblownoun
  • golpeadostruckadjective

Word lists with this word