apuro
/ah-POO-roh/
predicament
A kitten in a predicament, illustrating 'apuro' as a difficult situation.
apuro(noun)
predicament
?a difficult or sticky situation
embarrassment
?socially awkward situation
,tight spot
?informal trouble
📝 In Action
Tu ayuda me sacó de un gran apuro.
B1Your help got me out of a big predicament.
No quiero ponerte en un apuro, pero necesito el dinero.
B2I don't want to put you in a tight spot, but I need the money.
💡 Grammar Points
Using the Plural
While you can be in 'un apuro' (one predicament), Spanish speakers often use the plural 'en apuros' to say they are generally 'in trouble' or 'in a jam'.
❌ Common Pitfalls
Apuro vs. Apurado
Mistake: "Using 'tengo apuro' when you mean 'I am embarrassed'."
Correction: Say 'estoy avergonzado' for embarrassment. 'Tengo apuro' means you are in a rush or 'Me da apuro' means something feels socially awkward to do.
⭐ Usage Tips
Social Awkwardness
Use the phrase 'Me da apuro' when you feel shy or awkward about asking for a favor. It’s a very polite way to show you don't want to be a burden.
Being in a hurry, showing 'apuro' as a state of being in a rush.
📝 In Action
No tengo apuro, podemos hablar más tarde.
A2I'm in no hurry, we can talk later.
Caminaba con mucho apuro por la calle.
B1He was walking down the street in a great rush.
💡 Grammar Points
Apuro vs. Prisa
In Spain, 'prisa' is the standard word for hurry. In parts of Latin America, 'apuro' is used just as frequently to mean you need to go fast.
The act of hurrying, representing the verb 'apuro' as taking action to go faster.
apuro(verb)
I hurry
?the act of going faster
I finish off
?drinking or eating the very last of something
📝 In Action
Siempre apuro el café antes de salir.
B2I always finish off my coffee before leaving.
Si no me apuro, voy a perder el tren.
B1If I don't hurry up, I'm going to miss the train.
⭐ Usage Tips
Two-in-One Verb
Remember that 'apurar' can mean to move fast (hurry) OR to drain a glass/finish a plate. If someone says 'Apuro mi copa,' they are drinking the last drop.
🔄 Conjugations
subjunctive
present
imperfect
indicative
preterite
imperfect
present
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: apuro
Question 1 of 1
What does 'Me sacó de un apuro' mean?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
Is 'apuro' different from 'prisa'?
Yes and no. Both can mean 'hurry,' but 'apuro' also means a 'predicament' or 'trouble,' which 'prisa' does not.
Can 'apuro' be a verb?
Yes, 'apuro' is the form used when I am the one doing the action right now: 'Yo apuro' (I hurry or I finish up).