cabecear (spanish) - meaning, definition, translation, pronunciation

Part of Speech

Verb

Phonetic Transcription

/kabeˈθe.aɾ/ (Castilian Spanish)
/kabeˈse.aɾ/ (Latin American Spanish)

Translation Options into English

• To bob (the head)
• To nod
• To tilt

Meaning and Usage

The verb "cabecear" primarily means to move the head up and down, typically in a nodding action. It can indicate agreement or understanding but can also refer to a more physical swaying of the head, such as when a person is tired or falling asleep.

It is commonly used in both oral and written contexts, although the frequency of usage may increase in informal conversations. Usage can vary in some regions, with nautical contexts using the term to describe a ship's motion when its bow bobs up and down on the waves.

Example Sentences

1. A veces, cuando estoy cansado en clase, suelo cabecear.

2. Sometimes, when I am tired in class, I tend to nod off.

3. El capitán notó que el barco comenzaba a cabecear debido a las olas.

4. The captain noticed that the ship began to bob due to the waves.

5. En la reunión, varios participantes empezaron a cabecear en señal de acuerdo.

6. In the meeting, several participants started to nod in agreement.

Idiomatic Expressions

"Cabecear" is not typically used in standard idiomatic expressions, but there are phrases where the concept of nodding or bobbing is included. Below are some creative uses that reflect similar ideas:

1. Cabecear donde hay comida.
2. (To nod where there is food.)
3. In this context, it refers to someone being very eager or enthusiastic about food.
4. "Siempre cabecea donde hay comida, ¡es un gran amante de la gastronomía!"

5. (He always nods where there is food; he is a big food lover!)

6. Cabecear como un pez.

7. (To nod like a fish.)
8. This expression might refer to someone who is clueless or uninformed.
9. "Cuando mencionaron ese tema, empezó a cabecear como un pez."

10. (When they mentioned that topic, he started to nod like a clueless fish.)

11. No te quedes cabeceando, despierta y participa.

12. (Don't just nod off; wake up and participate.)
13. Used to encourage someone to be more alert and involved.
14. "En la próxima clase, no te quedes cabeceando, despierta y participa."
15. (In the next class, don’t just nod off; wake up and participate.)

Etymology

The verb "cabecear" comes from "cabeza," which means "head" in Spanish, combined with the suffix "-ear," which is often used to form verbs. The action is directly associated with head movements, linking the meaning of the verb to the physicality of the head.

Synonyms and Antonyms

Synonyms

• Asentir (to agree, to nod)
• Sacudir (to shake, in certain contexts)

Antonyms

• Negar (to deny)
• Rechazar (to reject)

In summary, "cabecear" is a versatile verb that can convey various meanings related to nodding or swaying the head, often used in both everyday language and specific nautical contexts.