Spanish Conversation · Level 78
60 words
Spanish word
tropezar
Pronunciation
IPA/tɾopeˈθaɾ/
Meaning
- verbtrip
Example
Ten cuidado para no tropezar en la acera.
Be careful not to trip on the sidewalk.
More examples
Al subir las escaleras, puedes tropezar si no miras los escalones.
When you go up the stairs, you can trip if you don't watch the steps.
Core concept
A walker catching their foot on an obstacle and losing balance.
Common phrases
tropezar al subir las escaleras
trip when going up the stairs
tropezar con un escalón
trip on a step
tropezar en la acera
trip on the sidewalk
Similar words
resbalar: Foot loses traction on the ground and slips, making the body slide or lurch.
caerse: Body loses support and falls to the ground.
chocar: Body collides forcefully with an object or person, producing a strong impact.
tambalear: Walks with unsteady, swaying steps, appearing to stagger or wobble.
Definition in Spanish
Dar con el pie en un obstáculo al andar y perder el equilibrio; por extensión, chocar o encontrarse inesperadamente con algo o alguien.
Word origin
The verb derives from the Romance noun tropezón 'stumble', adopted in medieval Spanish to describe striking an obstacle and losing balance and later extended to mean an unexpected encounter.
Usage tips
- Spanish normally uses tropezar with con for the thing or person encountered (tropezar con algo/alguien), and the reflexive tropezarse con is common when describing running into someone by chance.
Other meanings
- bump intoverb
- run intoverb
Opposites
- equilibrarsekeep one's balanceverb
Related words
- tropiezostumblenoun
- tropezóntripnoun