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

Part of Speech

Verb

Phonetic Transcription

/trɑˈɾaɾ/

Translation Options into English

1. To swallow
2. To gulp
3. To ingest

Meaning and Usage

The verb "tragar" means to swallow something, which can refer to food or drink but also to metaphorical uses, such as accepting or believing something contrary to one's usual opinion or preferences.

In everyday Spanish, it is frequently used in both spoken and written contexts. However, it might be observed more in oral speech due to its straightforward and common nature in conversations about eating or drinking.

Example Sentences

1. No puedo tragar este trozo de carne.

2. I can't swallow this piece of meat.

3. Ella tuvo que tragar su orgullo y disculparse.

4. She had to swallow her pride and apologize.

5. Después de tomar el medicamento, tengo que tragar un vaso de agua.

6. After taking the medication, I have to swallow a glass of water.

Idiomatic Expressions

"Tragar" is part of several idiomatic expressions in Spanish. Here are a few examples:

1. Tragar sapos
2. To swallow frogs (to put up with unpleasant situations).
3. A veces hay que tragar sapos en el trabajo para mantener la paz.

4. Sometimes you have to swallow frogs at work to keep the peace.

5. Tragar entero

6. To swallow it whole (to accept something without questioning).
7. No puedo tragar entero lo que dicen los medios de comunicación.

8. I can't swallow whole what the media says.

9. Tragar el anzuelo

10. To swallow the bait (to fall for a trick or deception).
11. No debería haber tragado el anzuelo; era demasiado obvio.

12. I shouldn't have swallowed the bait; it was too obvious.

13. Tragar más de lo que se puede masticar

14. To bite off more than one can chew (to take on too much).
15. Si sigues tragando más de lo que puedes masticar, te vas a estresar.
16. If you keep swallowing more than you can chew, you will get stressed.

Etymology

The verb "tragar" comes from the Latin "tragere," which means "to draw in" or "to pull in." The term has evolved into its current form in Spanish over centuries, maintaining the core meaning related to swallowing.

Synonyms and Antonyms

Synonyms: - Deglutir (to deglutinate) - Ingerir (to ingest) - Consumir (to consume)

Antonyms: - Escupir (to spit) - Expulsar (to expel) - Desprender (to release)

By providing thorough contextual understanding and examples, “tragar” demonstrates its flexibility as both a literal and figurative term in the Spanish language.