agarrar
/ah-gah-RRAHR/
to grab
Agarrar means 'to grab' something quickly with the hand.
agarrar(verb)
to grab
?taking quickly with the hand
,to hold
?keeping something in your hand
to seize
?taking something forcefully
,to take
?general physical action of picking up
📝 In Action
Agarré el paraguas antes de salir porque estaba lloviendo.
A2I grabbed the umbrella before leaving because it was raining.
Por favor, agarra mi mano, el suelo está resbaladizo.
A2Please, hold my hand, the floor is slippery.
💡 Grammar Points
Direct Action Verb
This verb is transitive, meaning the action always directly affects an object (what you grab or hold). Think: 'I grab [the thing].'
⭐ Usage Tips
Use with Caution in Some Regions
In some countries (like Mexico and Central America), 'agarrar' is often preferred over 'coger' for 'to grab/take,' as 'coger' can be slang for sexual intercourse.
Agarrar can also mean 'to catch' a form of transport, like a bus or train.
agarrar(verb)
to catch
?transport or illness
,to get
?to contract an illness
to understand
?to grasp a concept (less common, but used)
📝 In Action
Si no te abrigas bien, vas a agarrar un resfriado.
B1If you don't bundle up well, you are going to catch a cold.
Llegamos tarde y no pudimos agarrar el último autobús.
B1We arrived late and couldn't catch the last bus.
Me costó un poco, pero al final agarré la idea del profesor.
B2It took me a while, but in the end I grasped the professor's idea.
💡 Grammar Points
Figurative Usage
This meaning extends the idea of 'taking hold' to non-physical things, like taking hold of a disease or taking hold of an opportunity (catching a bus).
When used reflexively (agarrarse a), agarrar means 'to cling' or hold on tightly.
agarrar(verb)
to cling
?holding on tightly (agarrarse a)
,to fight
?to get into a fight (agarrarse con)
to hold on
?for safety
📝 In Action
Agárrate bien a la barandilla, el barco se mueve mucho.
B2Hold on tightly to the railing, the boat is moving a lot.
Los dos vecinos se agarraron por culpa del ruido.
C1The two neighbors got into a fight because of the noise.
💡 Grammar Points
The 'Se' Marker
When you add 'se' (agarrarse), the action reflects back onto the person doing it. If someone 'se agarra,' they are holding themselves onto something, or they are involved in a mutual action, like a fight.
❌ Common Pitfalls
Confusing Reflexive and Non-Reflexive
Mistake: "Agarré la pared (I grabbed the wall)."
Correction: Me agarré a la pared (I clung to the wall). Use the reflexive form when the intent is to hold on for support.
🔄 Conjugations
indicative
present
imperfect
preterite
subjunctive
present
imperfect
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: agarrar
Question 1 of 2
Which sentence uses 'agarrar' in the figurative sense of 'to catch an illness'?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
Is 'agarrar' the same as 'coger'?
They often mean the same thing ('to grab/take'), but 'agarrar' is safer to use across all Spanish-speaking regions. In many Latin American countries, 'coger' is vulgar slang, so 'agarrar' is the universal choice for picking something up.
How do I say 'hold on' for safety using this verb?
You must use the reflexive form: '¡Agárrate!' (Hold on!). This tells the person to grab onto something for their own stability.