apretar

/ah-preh-tahr/

to press

A finger pressing a large, round, red button on a simple control panel.

Apretar un botón: Pressing a button.

apretar(verb)

A2stem-changing (e-ie) ar

to press

buttons, keys, or triggers

to tighten

screws, belts, or clothing

Also:

to squeeze

holding someone's hand or a physical object

📝 In Action

Tienes que apretar el botón rojo para empezar.

You have to press the red button to start.

Estos zapatos me aprietan mucho.

These shoes are very tight on me (they squeeze me).

Aprieta el tornillo con el destornillador.

Tighten the screw with the screwdriver.

Word Connections

Synonyms

presionar (to press/apply pressure)
ajustar (to adjust/tighten)
estrujar (to squeeze/wring)

Antonyms

aflojar (to loosen)
soltar (to let go)

Common Collocations

apretar el paso – to speed up (walking)
apretar los dientes – to grit one's teeth
apretar el gatillo – to pull the trigger

Idioms & Expressions

donde aprieta el zapato – where the real problem or difficulty lies

💡 Grammar Points

The Spelling Change

This verb is a 'stem-changer.' The 'e' in the middle changes to 'ie' when you stress it (like 'aprieto'), but stays as 'e' when the ending is stressed (like 'apretamos').

❌ Common Pitfalls

Don't forget the 'ie'

Mistake: "yo apreto"

Correction: yo aprieto - Remember the 'e' changes to 'ie' in most present tense forms.

⭐ Usage Tips

Shoes and Clothes

In Spanish, if clothes are too small, you don't say they are 'too tight,' you say they 'squeeze' you: 'Me aprieta la camisa'.

A friendly person gently placing a hand on a friend's shoulder and gesturing forward to encourage them.

Apretar a alguien: To urge or pressure someone.

apretar(verb)

B2stem-changing (e-ie) ar

to urge / to pressure

to push someone to do something or make a decision

to become intense

heat, work, or a difficult situation

📝 In Action

Mi jefe me está apretando para terminar el informe.

My boss is pressuring me to finish the report.

El calor aprieta mucho en agosto.

The heat gets very intense in August.

⭐ Usage Tips

Figurative Pressure

Use this when a situation is getting tough or someone is demanding results from you.

🔄 Conjugations

subjunctive

imperfect

ellos/ellas/ustedesapretaran

yoapretara

túapretaras

vosotrosapretarais

nosotrosapretáramos

él/ella/ustedapretara

present

ellos/ellas/ustedesaprieten

yoapriete

túaprietes

vosotrosapretéis

nosotrosapretemos

él/ella/ustedapriete

indicative

preterite

ellos/ellas/ustedesapretaron

yoapreté

túapretaste

vosotrosapretasteis

nosotrosapretamos

él/ella/ustedapretó

imperfect

ellos/ellas/ustedesapretaban

yoapretaba

túapretabas

vosotrosapretabais

nosotrosapretábamos

él/ella/ustedapretaba

present

ellos/ellas/ustedesaprietan

yoaprieto

túaprietas

vosotrosapretáis

nosotrosapretamos

él/ella/ustedaprieta

View All Tenses & Moods →

✏️ Quick Practice

💡 Quick Quiz: apretar

Question 1 of 2

Which sentence means 'My shoes are too tight'?

📚 More Resources

Word Family

apretado(tight / crowded) - adjective

apretón(squeeze / handshake) - noun

aprieto(tight spot / predicament) - noun

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between 'apretar' and 'presionar'?

'Apretar' often implies tightening or squeezing something physical (like a belt or a hand), while 'presionar' is more common for physical pressure against a surface or abstract social pressure.

Can 'apretar' mean 'to hug'?

Yes, 'dar un apretón' can refer to a strong hug or a handshake, and 'apretar a alguien' can mean to squeeze them in a hug.