agitar
“agitar” means “to shake” in Spanish. It has 2 different meanings depending on context:
to shake
Also: to wave
📝 In Action
Debes agitar la medicina antes de tomarla.
A2You must shake the medicine before taking it.
Los niños agitaron sus banderas durante el desfile.
B1The children waved their flags during the parade.
No agites la botella de refresco o explotará.
A2Don't shake the soda bottle or it will explode.
to upset/fluster
Also: to incite
📝 In Action
La mala noticia agitó a toda la familia.
B2The bad news upset the whole family.
El discurso agitó a las masas.
C1The speech stirred up the masses.
No te agites por cosas tan pequeñas.
B2Don't get yourself worked up over such small things.
🔄 Conjugations
subjunctive
imperfect
present
indicative
preterite
imperfect
present
Translate to Spanish
Words that translate to "agitar" in Spanish:
to wave→✏️ Quick Practice
Quick Quiz: agitar
Question 1 of 3
If you see 'Agítese bien' on a juice bottle, what should you do?
📚 More Resources
👥 Word Family▼
📚 Etymology▼
From the Latin 'agitare', which means 'to set in frequent motion' or 'to drive'. It is the frequentative form of 'agere' (to do/drive).
First recorded: 13th century
Cognates (Related words)
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is 'agitar' used for shaking hands as a greeting?
Not usually. For a handshake greeting, Spanish speakers say 'dar la mano' (to give the hand). 'Agitar la mano' means waving.
Can 'agitar' mean 'to breathe heavily'?
Yes, 'estar agitado' or 'agitarse' can describe someone who is out of breath or breathing quickly after exercise.
Is it a regular verb?
Yes! It follows the standard pattern for all verbs ending in -ar, with no stem changes.