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A close-up, colorful storybook illustration showing a person's foot mid-action, kicking a bright red soccer ball.

patadas

pah-TAH-dahs

NounfA2
kicks?Physical actions using the foot
Also:blows (with the foot)?Referring to impacts

📝 In Action

El portero salvó el balón con unas patadas rápidas.

A2

The goalkeeper saved the ball with some quick kicks.

Las patadas del bebé en el vientre eran muy fuertes.

B1

The baby's kicks in the womb were very strong.

Tuvimos que abrir la puerta a patadas.

B2

We had to kick the door open (or: We had to open the door with kicks/forcefully).

Word Connections

Synonyms

Common Collocations

  • dar patadas – to kick

Idioms & Expressions

  • A patadas – Violently, forcefully, or reluctantly/with great difficulty (figurative).
  • Dar patadas de ahogado – To make a last desperate effort; to flail around trying to survive.
  • Estar a patadas con alguien/algo – To be incompatible, to clash terribly (e.g., colors, personalities).

💡 Grammar Points

Always Feminine Plural

This word is feminine and plural, meaning you must use feminine plural words like 'las' or 'unas' before it: 'las patadas fuertes' (the strong kicks).

❌ Common Pitfalls

Using 'patadas' as the verb form

Mistake: "Yo patadas el balón."

Correction: The verb form is 'patear' (to kick). You should say 'Yo pateo el balón.' 'Patadas' is only the name of the action, not the action itself.

⭐ Usage Tips

Using 'A patadas' Figuratively

The phrase 'A patadas' is often used to mean you did something with great difficulty or reluctantly: 'Aprendí a programar a patadas' means 'I learned to program the hard way.'

✏️ Quick Practice

💡 Quick Quiz: patadas

Question 1 of 2

If two colors are 'a patadas,' what does that mean?

📚 More Resources

Frequently Asked Questions

Is 'patadas' the same as 'pateo'?

No. 'Patadas' is the plural noun form meaning 'kicks' (the action). 'Pateo' is the first-person singular conjugation of the verb 'patear' (to kick), meaning 'I kick' in the present tense.

Why is 'patadas' feminine?

The suffix '-ada' that is added to the root 'pata' is almost always used to create feminine nouns in Spanish, especially those describing a physical action or blow (like 'puñalada' - stab, or 'palmada' - clap).