ahogar
“ahogar” means “to drown” in Spanish. It has 2 different meanings depending on context:
to drown, to suffocate
Also: to choke
📝 In Action
El socorrista salvó al niño que se estaba ahogando.
A2The lifeguard saved the boy who was drowning.
El humo del incendio me estaba ahogando.
B1The smoke from the fire was suffocating me.
Ten cuidado con ese trozo de carne, no te vayas a ahogar.
B1Be careful with that piece of meat, don't choke.
to stifle, to overwhelm
Also: to flood
📝 In Action
Ella intentó ahogar un sollozo para que nadie la oyeran.
B2She tried to stifle a sob so no one would hear her.
Las deudas están ahogando a la pequeña empresa.
B2Debts are overwhelming the small business.
Creo que has ahogado el motor al intentar arrancarlo.
C1I think you've flooded the engine trying to start it.
Subjunctive
Imperfect Subjunctive
Present Subjunctive
Indicative
Preterite
Imperfect
Present
Translate to Spanish
Words that translate to "ahogar" in Spanish:
to choke→to drown→to flood→to overwhelm→to stifle→to suffocate→✏️ Quick Practice
Quick Quiz: ahogar
Question 1 of 3
Which form is the correct 'I drowned' (past tense)?
📚 More Resources
👥 Word Family▼
📚 Etymology▼
From the Latin 'affocare', which comes from 'fauces' (throat). Essentially, it means to do something to the throat.
First recorded: 13th century
Cognates (Related words)
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Frequently Asked Questions
Can 'ahogar' be used for a car engine?
Yes! If you give a car engine too much gas and it won't start, you say 'se ha ahogado el motor' (the engine is flooded).
Is 'ahogarse' the same as 'morir'?
Not necessarily. You can be 'ahogándose' (drowning/suffocating) but still be saved. 'Morir ahogado' is the specific way to say someone died from it.
How do I say 'I'm choking on this food'?
You can say 'Me estoy ahogando', but 'Me estoy atragantando' is more specific to food stuck in the windpipe.