ahorcar

ah-or-KAR/aoɾˈkaɾ/

“ahorcar” means “to hang” in Spanish. It has 2 different meanings depending on context:

to hang🔊B2Verb

as a method of execution or suicide

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to be too tight🔊B1Verb

referring to clothing like collars or ties

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to hang

Also: to strangle

VerbB2spelling change ar

General

A simple wooden gallows with a rope loop on a grassy hill under a blue sky.

gerundahorcando

past Participleahorcado

infinitiveahorcar

📝 In Action

En la antigüedad, solían ahorcar a los piratas en el puerto.

In ancient times, they used to hang pirates in the harbor.

El hombre intentó ahorcarse, pero la cuerda se rompió.

The man tried to hang himself, but the rope broke.

Fue condenado a morir ahorcado por sus crímenes.

He was sentenced to die by hanging for his crimes.

Word Connections

Synonyms

estrangular (to strangle)
colgar (to hang)

Antonyms

liberar (to release)
soltar (to let go)

Common Collocations

morir ahorcado – to die by hanging
el juego del ahorcado – the game of Hangman

Idioms & Expressions

ahorcar los hábitos – to leave the priesthood or a religious order

to be too tight

Also: to choke

VerbB1regular arinformal

A man with a red face pulling at a very tight shirt collar and tie.

gerundahorcando

past Participleahorcado

infinitiveahorcar

📝 In Action

Afloja la corbata, que me estás ahorcando.

Loosen the tie; you're choking me.

Este cuello me ahorca un poco.

This collar is squeezing me a bit.

Word Connections

Synonyms

apretar (to squeeze/be tight)
asfixiar (to suffocate)

Antonyms

quedar grande (to be too big)

Common Collocations

esta camisa me ahorca – this shirt is too tight around the neck

🔄 Conjugations

subjunctive

imperfect

ellos/ellas/ustedesahorcaran

yoahorcara

túahorcaras

vosotrosahorcarais

nosotrosahorcáramos

él/ella/ustedahorcara

present

ellos/ellas/ustedesahorquen

yoahorque

túahorques

vosotrosahorquéis

nosotrosahorquemos

él/ella/ustedahorque

indicative

preterite

ellos/ellas/ustedesahorcaron

yoahorqué

túahorcaste

vosotrosahorcasteis

nosotrosahorcamos

él/ella/ustedahorcó

imperfect

ellos/ellas/ustedesahorcaban

yoahorcaba

túahorcabas

vosotrosahorcabais

nosotrosahorcábamos

él/ella/ustedahorcaba

present

ellos/ellas/ustedesahorcan

yoahorco

túahorcas

vosotrosahorcáis

nosotrosahorcamos

él/ella/ustedahorca

View All Tenses & Moods →

Translate to Spanish

Words that translate to "ahorcar" in Spanish:

to choke→to hang→to strangle→

✏️ Quick Practice

Quick Quiz: ahorcar

Question 1 of 3

What is the correct 'yo' form for 'I hanged' (past tense)?

📚 More Resources

👥 Word Family▼

ahorcado(hanged man / hangman game) — Noun

ahorcadura(the act of hanging) — Noun

horca(gallows / pitchfork) — Noun

🎵 Rhymes▼

aparcar enmarcar

📚 Etymology▼

From the Spanish word 'horca' (gallows/pitchfork), which comes from Latin 'furca' meaning a two-pronged fork.

First recorded: 13th century

Cognates (Related words)

Portuguese: enforcarItalian: impiccare

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is 'ahorcar' the same as 'colgar'?

'Colgar' just means 'to hang' anything (like a picture or a coat). 'Ahorcar' specifically means hanging by the neck to kill or squeeze.

How do you say 'to choke on food'?

Don't use 'ahorcar' for food. Use 'atragantarse' or 'ahogarse'.

Is 'ahorcar' a common word?

The literal meaning isn't used every day, but the figurative meaning (tight clothes) and the game 'el ahorcado' are very common.