golpe
/GOHL-peh/
hit
Golpe meaning 'hit' or 'physical strike'.
golpe(noun)
hit
?A physical strike
,blow
?A forceful impact
knock
?Hitting a door or surface
,punch
?A forceful strike with a fist
📝 In Action
Recibió un fuerte golpe en la cabeza al caer.
A1He received a strong blow to the head when falling.
Oímos un golpe en la puerta y fuimos a abrir.
A2We heard a knock at the door and went to open it.
La caja se cayó con un gran golpe.
A1The box fell with a big thump/bang.
💡 Grammar Points
Masculine Noun Rule
Even though 'golpe' ends in 'e', it is always a masculine noun, meaning you must use 'el' or 'un' before it (e.g., el golpe, un golpe).
❌ Common Pitfalls
Confusing 'Golpear'
Mistake: "Using 'golpear' (the verb, to hit) instead of the noun 'golpe' when describing the action itself, like saying 'el golpear' for 'a hit'."
Correction: Use the noun: 'Fue un golpe muy fuerte.' (It was a very strong hit.)
⭐ Usage Tips
Use with 'Dar'
The most common way to talk about delivering a hit is with the verb 'dar' (to give): 'dar un golpe' (to give a blow/hit).
Golpe meaning 'shock' or 'emotional impact'.
golpe(noun)
shock
?Emotional or situational impact
,stroke
?A sudden lucky event
setback
?A negative unexpected event
,sudden rush
?Momentary intense feeling
📝 In Action
La crisis económica fue un golpe duro para muchas empresas.
B1The economic crisis was a hard blow/shock for many companies.
¡Qué golpe de suerte! Encontré el anillo perdido.
B1What a stroke of luck! I found the lost ring.
Ella se fue de golpe, sin despedirse.
B2She left suddenly, without saying goodbye.
💡 Grammar Points
Adverbial Use
The phrase 'de golpe' acts like an adverb, describing how something happens, usually meaning 'very quickly' or 'unexpectedly'.
⭐ Usage Tips
Emotional Weight
Use 'golpe' with adjectives like 'duro' (hard) or 'bajo' (low) to emphasize emotional difficulty or unfairness.
Golpe meaning 'coup d'état' or 'political overthrow'.
golpe(noun)
coup d'état
?Political overthrow
,coup
?Short form of coup d'état
takeover
?Sudden assumption of power
📝 In Action
Históricamente, el país sufrió varios golpes de estado en el siglo XX.
B2Historically, the country suffered several coups d'état in the 20th century.
Se rumoreaba un golpe militar contra el presidente.
B2A military coup against the president was rumored.
💡 Grammar Points
Fixed Phrase
In political conversation, 'golpe de estado' is treated as a single, fixed phrase, meaning a sudden, usually illegal, seizure of government power.
❌ Common Pitfalls
Literal Translation
Mistake: "Trying to translate 'coup d'état' literally using a different word for 'state' or 'blow'."
Correction: Always use 'golpe de estado' or simply 'golpe' in context when referring to a political overthrow.
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: golpe
Question 1 of 3
Which translation of 'golpe' is correct in the sentence: 'Nos dio un golpe de estado la semana pasada.'
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between 'golpe' and 'puñetazo'?
'Golpe' is a general term for any hit, knock, or blow (from a hand, a door, a fall, etc.). 'Puñetazo' is specific: it means a punch delivered strictly with a closed fist.
How do I say 'to hit' if 'golpe' is a noun?
To express the verb 'to hit,' you use the related verb 'golpear.' For example, 'Yo golpeo la mesa' means 'I hit the table.'