Spanish word

precipitar

Pronunciation

IPA/pɾeθipiˈtaɾ/

Meaning

  • verbhurry

Example

Él se precipitó hacia la salida.

He hurried toward the exit.

Illustration for precipitar (hurry)

More examples

No conviene precipitarse al cambiar de trabajo.

You shouldn't rush when changing jobs.

Core concept

Sudden forward lunge led by the head.

Common phrases

  • precipitarse a tomar decisiones

    rush to make decisions

  • precipitar una respuesta

    hasten a response

Similar words

darse prisa: Acts promptly to avoid wasting time.
apresurarse: Moves into action quickly at the start.
apurarse: Rushes while anxious, moving with tense urgency.
lanzarse: Throws oneself forward energetically.

Definition in Spanish

Ir o actuar con rapidez e impulso, a menudo de forma brusca y sin mucha reflexión.

Word origin

From Latin praecipitare, formed from prae 'before' plus caput 'head', literally 'to throw headfirst' and therefore used for rushing or acting rashly.

Usage tips

  • When used without se, precipitar commonly carries a causative or abrupt-onset meaning rather than the neutral 'to hurry' sense expressed by dar prisa or apresurarse.

Other meanings

  • act rashlyverb
  • dashverb

Opposites

Related words

Word lists with this word