atrapar
“atrapar” means “catch” in Spanish. It has 3 different meanings depending on context:
catch, captureAlso: snare, seize
📝 In Action
El jardinero logró atrapar a la ardilla en la jaula.
A2The gardener managed to catch the squirrel in the cage.
Tienes que saltar muy alto para atrapar esa pelota.
A1You have to jump very high to catch that ball.
Word Connections
trap, cornerAlso: catch out
📝 In Action
Los periodistas intentaron atrapar al político con una pregunta difícil.
B1The journalists tried to corner the politician with a difficult question.
La policía atrapó al ladrón justo cuando intentaba escapar.
B1The police trapped the thief just as he was trying to escape.
Lo atrapamos en una contradicción, ¡así supimos que mentía!
B2We caught him out in a contradiction, that's how we knew he was lying!
Word Connections
get stuck, get caught upAlso: get drenched
📝 In Action
Me atrapé en el tráfico y llegué tarde.
B2I got stuck in traffic and arrived late.
Se atrapó en su trabajo y olvidó el cumpleaños.
B2He got caught up in his work and forgot the birthday.
Indicative
Present
Imperfect
Preterite
Subjunctive
Present Subjunctive
Imperfect Subjunctive
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✏️ Quick Practice
Quick Quiz: atrapar
Question 1 of 1
Which sentence uses 'atrapar' in the sense of 'getting stuck' or 'caught up'?
📚 More Resources
👥 Word Family
📚 Etymology
Formed in Spanish by adding the prefix 'a-' (indicating movement toward) to the root word *trapa*, which means 'trap' or 'snare.' The word literally means 'to move into a trap' or 'to put in a trap.'
First recorded: Medieval Spanish
Cognates (Related words)
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Frequently Asked Questions
¿Cuál es la diferencia entre 'atrapar' y 'agarrar'?
Both mean 'to grab/catch.' 'Agarrar' means to hold onto something firmly or grab it quickly (like a handle). 'Atrapar' specifically implies intercepting something moving or setting a trap to capture something.
If I want to say 'I caught a cold,' should I use 'atrapar'?
No. Although 'atrapar' means 'to catch,' Spanish uses a different verb for illness. You should use 'pillar' (Me pillé un resfriado) or 'coger' (Cogí un resfriado), or most commonly, 'resfriarse' (Me resfrié).