Inklingo

atropellar

ah-troh-peh-yahratɾopeˈʎaɾ

atropellar means to run over in Spanish. It has 2 different meanings depending on context:

to run over

Also: to knock down
VerbA2regular ar
A toy car near a small toy dog that has been knocked over on a play mat.
gerundatropellando
past Participleatropellado
infinitiveatropellar

📝 In Action

El coche atropelló a un perro en la calle.

A2

The car ran over a dog in the street.

Ten cuidado al cruzar, no dejes que te atropellen.

B1

Be careful when crossing; don't let them run you over.

La gente se atropellaba para entrar primero al concierto.

B2

People were knocking each other down to get into the concert first.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • arrollar (to run over/overwhelm)
  • embestir (to charge/ram)

Antonyms

Common Collocations

  • atropellar a un peatónto run over a pedestrian
  • casi atropellarto nearly run over

to trample on

Also: to disregard
VerbB2regular ar
A large heavy boot stepping firmly onto a delicate flower in a garden.
gerundatropellando
past Participleatropellado
infinitiveatropellar

📝 In Action

No podemos permitir que atropellen nuestros derechos civiles.

B2

We cannot allow them to trample on our civil rights.

El director atropelló la opinión de todo el equipo.

C1

The director disregarded the opinion of the whole team.

Atropellaron la ley para conseguir sus objetivos.

C1

They trampled the law to achieve their goals.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • vulnerar (to violate/infringe)
  • ignorar (to ignore)

Antonyms

Common Collocations

  • atropellar los derechosto trample on rights
  • atropellar la razónto defy logic/reason

Subjunctive

Imperfect Subjunctive

yoatropellara
atropellaras
él/ella/ustedatropellara
nosotrosatropelláramos
vosotrosatropellarais
ellos/ellas/ustedesatropellaran

Present Subjunctive

yoatropelle
atropelles
él/ella/ustedatropelle
nosotrosatropellemos
vosotrosatropelléis
ellos/ellas/ustedesatropellen

Indicative

Preterite

yoatropellé
atropellaste
él/ella/ustedatropelló
nosotrosatropellamos
vosotrosatropellasteis
ellos/ellas/ustedesatropellaron

Imperfect

yoatropellaba
atropellabas
él/ella/ustedatropellaba
nosotrosatropellábamos
vosotrosatropellabais
ellos/ellas/ustedesatropellaban

Present

yoatropello
atropellas
él/ella/ustedatropella
nosotrosatropellamos
vosotrosatropelláis
ellos/ellas/ustedesatropellan

Translate to Spanish

Words that translate to "atropellar" in Spanish:

to disregard

✏️ Quick Practice

Quick Quiz: atropellar

Question 1 of 3

Which sentence correctly describes a car accident?

📚 More Resources

👥 Word Family
atropello(accident/outrage)Noun
atropelladamente(hurriedly/hastily)Adverb
atropellado(hurried/slurred)Adjective
🎵 Rhymes
📚 Etymology

Derived from the Spanish word 'tropa' (troop or crowd). It originally meant to move through a place like a large, disorganized troop, pushing everything out of the way.

First recorded: 16th century

Cognates (Related words)

French: troupe

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Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use 'atropellar' for a bike hitting someone?

Yes! Any moving vehicle—a car, a bike, a scooter, or even a horse—can 'atropellar' someone.

What is an 'atropello'?

As a noun, it can mean the act of running someone over, but it is also commonly used to mean an 'outrage' or a 'gross injustice'.

Does it always involve an accident?

Not always. It can also describe a crowd of people pushing through a doorway in a disorganized and somewhat violent way.