Gatear is a verb.
/gateˈaɾ/
Gatear primarily means "to crawl," particularly in reference to infants who are just learning to move about. It is commonly used in both oral and written contexts, although it tends to be more frequent in conversational Spanish among parents and caregivers discussing the milestones of child development. The frequency of use may be elevated in parenting discussions, pediatric literature, or child care settings.
The baby started to crawl when he was six months old.
Es impresionante ver cómo los niños aprenden a gatear rápidamente.
It is impressive to see how children learn to crawl quickly.
Mi hijo gatea por toda la casa, explorando nuevos lugares.
While gatear does not directly lead to many established idiomatic expressions, it can be part of colloquial phrases related to childhood and development. Below are some expressions that illustrate its usage:
The child crawls before walking.
"No se preocupen, todos los bebés gatean a su ritmo."
Don't worry, all babies crawl at their own pace.
"Aprender a gatear es un paso importante en su desarrollo."
Learning to crawl is an important step in their development.
"Aunque ya puede caminar, a veces prefiere gatear para jugar."
The verb gatear originates from the Spanish word gata, which means "cat." The connection is drawn from the way cats often move by crawling low to the ground. This reflects the notion of crawling in a manner that may resemble the movements of a small animal.
Synonyms: - Arrastrarse (to drag oneself) - Desplazarse (to move)
Antonyms: - Caminar (to walk) - Correr (to run)
This structured overview provides a comprehensive understanding of the word "gatear," including its meaning, usage in sentences, and relevant expressions.