atorar
“atorar” means “to clog” in Spanish. It has 2 different meanings depending on context:
to clog, to jam
Also: to block
📝 In Action
El exceso de papel atoró la tubería del baño.
B1Too much paper clogged the bathroom pipe.
Ten cuidado, no atores la fotocopiadora con tantas hojas.
B2Be careful, don't jam the photocopier with so many sheets.
La nieve atoró la entrada de la cochera.
B1The snow blocked the garage entrance.
to get stuck, to choke
Also: to get tongue-tied, to stall
📝 In Action
Me atoré con un hueso de pollo.
A2I choked on a chicken bone.
El coche se atoró en el lodo y no pudimos moverlo.
B1The car got stuck in the mud and we couldn't move it.
Estaba tan nervioso que me atoré a mitad del discurso.
B2I was so nervous that I got tongue-tied in the middle of the speech.
Subjunctive
Imperfect Subjunctive
Present Subjunctive
Indicative
Preterite
Imperfect
Present
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✏️ Quick Practice
Quick Quiz: atorar
Question 1 of 3
If you are eating bread and it gets stuck in your throat, what do you say?
📚 More Resources
👥 Word Family▼
📚 Etymology▼
From the Spanish word 'toro', which in old construction contexts referred to a 'wedge' or 'block of wood' used to stop movement.
First recorded: 15th century
Cognates (Related words)
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is 'atorar' different from 'atascar'?
They are very similar synonyms. 'Atascar' is more common in Spain, while 'atorar' is much more frequent in Mexico and Latin America.
Can I use 'atorar' for a computer freezing?
Yes! In many regions, people say 'Se atoró la computadora' when the screen freezes or a program stops responding.
Does it always mean something bad?
Usually, yes, as it implies a lack of progress or a physical blockage. However, in Mexico, 'atorarle' can sometimes mean to 'tackle' a task with energy.