Inklingo
← Dictionary

arrastrar

ah-rrah-STRAHRarasˈtɾaɾ

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

to drag

Also: to pull along, to trail
VerbA2regular ar
A child pulling a large wooden toy box across a wooden floor.
gerundarrastrando
infinitivearrastrar
past Participlearrastrado

📝 In Action

El niño arrastra su juguete favorito por toda la casa.

A1

The boy drags his favorite toy all over the house.

Por favor, no arrastres las sillas; levántalas para no rayar el suelo.

A2

Please, don't drag the chairs; lift them up so you don't scratch the floor.

El barco arrastraba una red enorme en el mar.

B1

The boat was dragging a huge net in the sea.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • remolcar (to tow/pull)
  • jalar (to pull (LatAm))

Antonyms

Common Collocations

  • arrastrar los pies – to shuffle/drag one's feet
  • arrastrar una maleta – to drag a suitcase

Idioms & Expressions

  • arrastrar el ala – to flirt or court someone

to sweep away

Also: to lead to / involve, to drag
VerbB2regular ar
Strong wind blowing autumn leaves and a small branch across a grass field.

📝 In Action

La corriente del río arrastró los troncos caídos.

B1

The river current swept away the fallen logs.

Sus malas decisiones arrastraron a la empresa a la quiebra.

B2

His bad decisions dragged the company into bankruptcy.

Solo tienes que arrastrar el archivo a la carpeta azul.

A2

You just have to drag the file to the blue folder.

Word Connections

Synonyms

Common Collocations

  • arrastrar consecuencias – to bear consequences
  • arrastrar y soltar – drag and drop

Subjunctive

Present Subjunctive

yoarrastre
túarrastres
él/ella/ustedarrastre
nosotrosarrastremos
vosotrosarrastréis
ellos/ellas/ustedesarrastren

Imperfect Subjunctive

yoarrastrara
túarrastraras
él/ella/ustedarrastrara
nosotrosarrastráramos
vosotrosarrastrarais
ellos/ellas/ustedesarrastraran

Indicative

Present

yoarrastro
túarrastras
él/ella/ustedarrastra
nosotrosarrastramos
vosotrosarrastráis
ellos/ellas/ustedesarrastran

Preterite

yoarrastré
túarrastraste
él/ella/ustedarrastró
nosotrosarrastramos
vosotrosarrastrasteis
ellos/ellas/ustedesarrastraron

Imperfect

yoarrastraba
túarrastrabas
él/ella/ustedarrastraba
nosotrosarrastrábamos
vosotrosarrastrabais
ellos/ellas/ustedesarrastraban
View All Tenses & Moods →

Translate to Spanish

Words that translate to "arrastrar" in Spanish:

to drag→to trail→

✏️ Quick Practice

Quick Quiz: arrastrar

Question 1 of 3

What is the best way to say 'Drag and drop' in Spanish?

📚 More Resources

👥 Word Family▼
rastro(trail/trace) — Noun
rastrillo(rake) — Noun
arrastrado(wretched/crawling) — Adjective
🎵 Rhymes▼
📚 Etymology▼

From the Spanish prefix 'a-' (towards) and the word 'rastro' (track/trail), which comes from Latin 'rastrum' (a rake).

First recorded: 13th century

Cognates (Related words)

Portuguese: arrastar

💡 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 'arrastrar' the same as 'jalar'?

Not exactly. 'Jalar' (common in LatAm) means to pull. 'Arrastrar' specifically means to pull something while it stays in contact with the ground or surface.

Can I use 'arrastrar' for people?

Yes! It can mean physically dragging someone or figuratively influencing someone to do something bad (dragging them into trouble).

Is it a regular verb?

Yes, 'arrastrar' follows all the normal rules for verbs ending in -ar.