Inklingo
← Dictionary

aprieto

ah-PREE-eh-tohaˈpɾje.to

“aprieto” means “predicament” in Spanish. It has 2 different meanings depending on context:

predicament, tight spot

Also: bind, fix
NounmB1
A small kitten stuck on a high tree branch looking down with a worried expression.

📝 In Action

Me encuentro en un aprieto porque olvidé mi cartera.

A2

I'm in a predicament because I forgot my wallet.

Sus preguntas constantes pusieron al político en un aprieto.

B1

Her constant questions put the politician in a tight spot.

No te preocupes, yo te sacaré de este aprieto.

B2

Don't worry, I will get you out of this jam.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • apuro (trouble/jam)
  • dilema (dilemma)
  • atolladero (mess/quagmire)

Antonyms

  • alivio (relief)
  • solución (solution)

Common Collocations

  • estar en un aprieto – to be in a jam
  • sacar de un aprieto – to get someone out of a fix
  • poner en un aprieto – to put someone on the spot

Idioms & Expressions

  • Saber dónde le aprieta a uno el zapato – To know where the real trouble lies

I squeeze, I press

Also: I tighten
VerbA2irregular stem-changing ar
Two hands firmly squeezing a bright yellow lemon, with juice droplets spraying out.
gerundapretando
past Participleapretado
infinitiveapretar

📝 In Action

Yo aprieto el botón para encender la luz.

A1

I press the button to turn on the light.

Siempre aprieto los puños cuando tengo miedo.

B1

I always clench my fists when I'm afraid.

Aprieto el paso porque va a llover.

B2

I speed up (tighten the pace) because it's going to rain.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • presiono (I press)
  • estrujo (I squeeze hard)

Antonyms

  • suelto (I release/let go)
  • aflojo (I loosen)

Common Collocations

  • apretar el botón – to press the button
  • apretar los dientes – to grit one's teeth
  • apretar el paso – to pick up the pace

Idioms & Expressions

  • Apretar las tuercas – To put pressure on someone to perform or tell the truth

Subjunctive

Imperfect Subjunctive

yoapretara
túapretaras
él/ella/ustedapretara
nosotrosapretáramos
vosotrosapretarais
ellos/ellas/ustedesapretaran

Present Subjunctive

yoapriete
túaprietes
él/ella/ustedapriete
nosotrosapretemos
vosotrosapretéis
ellos/ellas/ustedesaprieten

Indicative

Preterite

yoapreté
túapretaste
él/ella/ustedapretó
nosotrosapretamos
vosotrosapretasteis
ellos/ellas/ustedesapretaron

Imperfect

yoapretaba
túapretabas
él/ella/ustedapretaba
nosotrosapretábamos
vosotrosapretabais
ellos/ellas/ustedesapretaban

Present

yoaprieto
túaprietas
él/ella/ustedaprieta
nosotrosapretamos
vosotrosapretáis
ellos/ellas/ustedesaprietan
View All Tenses & Moods →

Translate to Spanish

✏️ Quick Practice

Quick Quiz: aprieto

Question 1 of 3

What does 'estar en un aprieto' mean?

📚 More Resources

👥 Word Family▼
apretar(to squeeze/press) — Verb
apretado(tight) — Adjective
apretón(a squeeze/handshake) — Noun
apretujar(to huddle/squeeze together) — Verb
🎵 Rhymes▼
📚 Etymology▼

Derived from the verb 'apretar', which comes from the Vulgar Latin word 'appectorare', meaning 'to press against the chest'.

First recorded: 13th Century

Cognates (Related words)

Portuguese: apertoItalian: appetto

💡 Master Spanish

Take your Spanish to the next level. Read 200+ illustrated and narrated Spanish stories tailored to your level with the Inklingo app!

Frequently Asked Questions

Is 'aprieto' the same as 'problema'?

Not exactly. While every 'aprieto' is a 'problema', an 'aprieto' specifically implies you feel stuck, embarrassed, or under pressure, like a 'tight spot'.

Can I use 'aprieto' to say my clothes are tight?

No. For clothes, you use the adjective 'apretado'. For example: 'Mis pantalones están muy apretados'.

Is 'aprieto' common in all Spanish-speaking countries?

Yes, it is widely understood and used across both Spain and Latin America.