latir
“latir” means “to beat” in Spanish. It has 3 different meanings depending on context:
to beat
Also: to throb
📝 In Action
Mi corazón late muy fuerte cuando estoy nervioso.
A1My heart beats very fast when I am nervous.
El médico puede oír el corazón latir.
A2The doctor can hear the heart beating.
Siento el latir de la vida en la ciudad.
B1I feel the pulse of life in the city.
to throb
📝 In Action
La herida me late mucho.
B1My wound is throbbing a lot.
Siento latir la sien por la migraña.
B2I feel my temple throbbing because of the migraine.
to have a feeling
Also: to like
📝 In Action
Me late que vamos a ganar.
B1I have a feeling that we are going to win.
Ese chico no me late nada.
B2I don't get a good vibe from that guy / I don't like that guy.
Subjunctive
Imperfect Subjunctive
Present Subjunctive
Indicative
Preterite
Imperfect
Present
✏️ Quick Practice
Quick Quiz: latir
Question 1 of 3
Which sentence correctly describes a fast heartbeat?
📚 More Resources
👥 Word Family▼
📚 Etymology▼
From Latin 'glattire', which originally meant the sound made by a dog barking or yelping. Over time, the meaning shifted to describe the rhythmic 'sound' or movement of the heart.
First recorded: 13th century
Cognates (Related words)
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Frequently Asked Questions
Does 'latir' always mean the heart is beating?
Mostly, yes! However, it is also used for a pulsing pain in a wound or, colloquially in Mexico, to mean you have a 'hunch' or you like something.
Is 'latir' a regular verb?
Yes! It follows the standard rules for all verbs ending in -ir, making it quite easy to conjugate.
What is the difference between 'latir' and 'palpitar'?
They are very similar. 'Latir' is more common for the physical act of beating, while 'palpitar' can feel slightly more formal or emotional.