pegar
Lemma Details
Translation: to hit; to stick; to glue; to paste; to attach; to beat; to strike
Part of Speech: verb
Etymology: Pegar comes from Latin 'picare' meaning 'to smear with pitch (pix)'. Pitch was a sticky, tar-like substance used for waterproofing and adhesion in ancient times. This explains the dual meaning in Spanish: the original sense of 'to stick/adhere' and the extended meaning 'to hit/strike' (perhaps from the impact when pressing things together). The English word 'pitch' (as in tar) shares this Latin root.
Commonality: 90%
Guessability: 30%
Register: neutral
Mnemonics
- Think of 'peg' in English - you 'peg' (attach) things to a clothesline.
- For the 'hit' meaning, imagine the sound 'peg!' as the sound of a punch landing.
- Remember pitch (tar) was used to stick things together - 'pegar' means 'to stick'.
Related Words, Phrases & Idioms
Cultural Context
In Spanish-speaking countries, 'pegar' is commonly used in both its meanings (hitting and sticking). The context usually makes it clear which meaning is intended. In some Latin American countries, 'pegar' can also be used colloquially to mean 'to be contagious' or 'to catch on' (as in a trend or song becoming popular).
Easily Confused With
Explanation: While 'pegar' means 'to hit' or 'to stick', 'pagar' means 'to pay'. They look and sound similar but have completely different meanings.
Notes: The confusion is common among English speakers because the words differ by just one vowel and both are common verbs.
Mnemonic: Remember: pegAr is About sticking and hitting; pagAr is About money (pAy).
Explanation: 'Pegar' means 'to hit/stick' while 'llegar' means 'to arrive'. They can sound similar to non-native speakers.
Notes: The 'll' in 'llegar' is pronounced differently from the 'p' in 'pegar', which helps distinguish them in speech.
Mnemonic: LLegar has two L's like you're walking on two Legs to arrive somewhere.