golpear
/gol-pe-ar/
to hit
Golpear can mean to hit, like striking a drum with a drumstick.
golpear(Verb)
to hit
?physical blow
,to strike
?action of hitting
to knock
?on a door
,to beat
?repeated hitting
📝 In Action
Tienes que golpear la pelota con fuerza para que cruce la red.
A2You have to hit the ball hard so it crosses the net.
Alguien está golpeando la puerta, ¿puedes abrir?
A2Someone is knocking on the door, can you open it?
El viento fuerte golpeaba las ventanas toda la noche.
B1The strong wind was striking the windows all night.
💡 Grammar Points
Direct Action Verb
Golpear is a transitive verb, meaning it needs a direct object (the thing receiving the action). For example: 'Golpeó el clavo' (He hit the nail).
❌ Common Pitfalls
Confusing 'Golpear' and 'Tocar'
Mistake: "Using 'tocar' when referring to a forceful impact ('Tocar la mesa')."
Correction: Use 'golpear' for forceful hitting or striking, and 'tocar' for light touching or playing an instrument. 'Golpea la mesa' (He hits the table).
⭐ Usage Tips
Use for Weather
This verb is often used to describe harsh weather impacting structures: 'El granizo golpeó el techo' (The hail struck the roof).
When used to describe accidental contact, golpear means to bump into.
golpear(Verb)
to bump into
?accidental contact
,to crash into
?vehicles
to run into
?accidental contact
📝 In Action
Me golpeé la cabeza con el estante de arriba.
B1I bumped my head on the shelf above.
El coche se golpeó contra la pared al salir del garaje.
B2The car crashed into the wall while leaving the garage.
💡 Grammar Points
Reflexive Use (Accidents)
When you accidentally hit yourself or a body part, use the reflexive form ('Me golpeé'). This is common for unplanned actions.
⭐ Usage Tips
Using the 'A' Personal
When describing hitting an object, you often use 'contra' (against) or simply 'a' if the object is personified or specific: 'Golpeó el balón a la portería' (He hit the ball toward the goal).
Golpear can also mean to shock someone emotionally with surprising news or events.
golpear(Verb)
to shock
?emotionally affect
,to hit hard
?referring to news or reality
to affect deeply
?negative emotional consequence
📝 In Action
La noticia de su despido nos golpeó a todos.
B2The news of his firing hit us all hard (shocked us).
La realidad económica golpeó a las familias más pobres.
C1The economic reality affected the poorest families deeply.
💡 Grammar Points
Subject vs. Object
In this figurative sense, the subject is usually the bad news or event, and the object is the person or group that feels the impact.
🔄 Conjugations
indicative
present
imperfect
preterite
subjunctive
present
imperfect
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: golpear
Question 1 of 2
Which sentence uses 'golpear' in its figurative sense (Definition 3)?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
When should I use 'golpear' versus 'pegar'?
Both mean 'to hit.' 'Golpear' often implies a single, significant blow or strike, or knocking (like on a door). 'Pegar' is often more general, meaning 'to hit' or 'to stick/glue,' and is sometimes used more casually.
What is the difference between 'golpearse' and 'golpear'?
'Golpear' means *you* hit something else ('Yo golpeo la pared'). 'Golpearse' means you hit *yourself* or a part of your body accidentally ('Me golpeé la rodilla' - I bumped my knee). The added 'se' shows the action involves the speaker.