Spanish word

perseguir

Pronunciation

IPA/peɾseˈɣiɾ/

Meaning

  • verbrun after

Example

El niño persiguió a la mariposa en el parque.

The boy ran after the butterfly in the park.

Illustration for perseguir (run after)

More examples

Ella persigue sus sueños a pesar de las dificultades.

She pursues her dreams despite the difficulties.

Core concept

A pursuer running to catch a fleeing target.

Common phrases

  • perseguir a alguien

    run after someone

  • perseguir un sueño

    pursue a dream

  • perseguir una meta

    pursue a goal

Similar words

seguir: Trails a person or thing by going behind or accompanying them.
alcanzar: Closes the gap to reach someone or something.
atrapar: Catches and restrains someone or something so they cannot get away.
buscar: Looks for something or someone by searching places or asking questions.

Definition in Spanish

Seguir físicamente a alguien o algo para alcanzarlo o atraparlo, y por extensión esforzarse de manera continua por conseguir un objetivo, ideal o interés.

Word origin

From Latin per- 'completely' plus sequi 'to follow', originally meaning to follow thoroughly.

Usage tips

  • When the direct object is a person, Spanish normally uses the personal a with perseguir (perseguir a alguien), and perseguir implies active, sustained pursuit rather than the neutral seguir.

Other meanings

  • trackverb
  • pursueverb
  • stalkverb

Opposites

Related words

  • persecuciónpursuitnoun
  • perseguidorpursuernoun
  • perseguidopursuedadjective

Word lists with this word