Confusing 'Golpear' and 'Tocar'

Golpear is a transitive verb, meaning it needs a direct object (the thing receiving the action). For example: 'Golpeó *el clavo*' (He hit the nail).

Direct Action Verb

This verb is often used to describe harsh weather impacting structures: 'El granizo golpeó el techo' (The hail struck the roof).

Use for Weather

Extremely common. Used for physical impact, striking, and knocking.

When you accidentally hit yourself or a body part, use the reflexive form ('Me golpeé'). This is common for unplanned actions.

Reflexive Use (Accidents)

When describing hitting an object, you often use 'contra' (against) or simply 'a' if the object is personified or specific: 'Golpeó el balón a la portería' (He hit the ball toward the goal).

Using the 'A' Personal

Commonly used in reflexive form to describe accidental impacts.

In this figurative sense, the subject is usually the bad news or event, and the object is the person or group that feels the impact.

Subject vs. Object

Used figuratively to describe emotional or negative impacts.

Learn how to use the Spanish verb 'golpear' (to hit, strike, or knock). Includes full conjugations for all tenses and explanations for its literal and figurative meanings (bumping, shocking).

golpear

Complete Conjugation Tables

🔄 Conjugations

indicative

present

future

imperfect

conditional

preterite

imperative

negative

affirmative

subjunctive

present

imperfect

Practice Conjugations