golpea
“golpea” means “hits” in Spanish. It has 2 different meanings depending on context:
hits, strikes, knocks
Also: you hit (formal), bangs
📝 In Action
Ella golpea la puerta para entrar.
A1She knocks on the door to enter.
El viento golpea las ventanas toda la noche.
A2The wind hits the windows all night.
Si usted golpea el tambor, sonará más fuerte.
B1If you (formal) hit the drum, it will sound louder.
deals a blow, shocks
Also: strikes (figurative)
📝 In Action
La crisis económica golpea fuertemente a las familias.
B2The economic crisis deals a heavy blow to families.
La noticia de su despido me golpea mucho.
C1The news of his firing shocks me greatly. (Literally: deals a blow to me.)
🔄 Conjugations
indicative
present
imperfect
preterite
subjunctive
present
imperfect
✏️ Quick Practice
Quick Quiz: golpea
Question 1 of 2
Which of these sentences uses 'golpea' as a command?
📚 More Resources
👥 Word Family▼
📚 Etymology▼
The verb 'golpear' comes directly from the Spanish noun 'golpe' (a blow or strike). 'Golpe' itself is believed to have originated from a pre-Latin root, possibly Germanic or Iberian, meaning 'to strike' or 'to hit.'
First recorded: 13th century
Cognates (Related words)
💡 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 'golpea' an irregular verb?
No, 'golpea' comes from the verb 'golpear,' which is a fully regular verb. It follows all the standard conjugation patterns for verbs ending in -AR.
How do I know if 'golpea' means 'he hits' or 'hit!' (command)?
Context is key! If the sentence starts with a person or thing doing the action (like 'Ella golpea'), it's a statement. If it stands alone or is directed at someone with an exclamation (like '¡Golpea rápido!'), it's a command.