pecar
“pecar” means “to sin” in Spanish. It has 2 different meanings depending on context:
to sin
Also: to do wrong
📝 In Action
Dice la religión que todos podemos pecar.
B1Religion says that we can all sin.
No quiero pecar contra mis principios.
B1I don't want to sin against my principles.
Es humano pecar, pero es divino perdonar.
B2To sin is human, but to forgive is divine.
to be too..., to err on the side of
📝 In Action
A veces pecas de optimista.
B2Sometimes you are too optimistic.
Prefiero pecar de precavido que tener un accidente.
B2I prefer to err on the side of caution than to have an accident.
Ella peca de modesta.
C1She is modest to a fault.
🔄 Conjugations
subjunctive
imperfect
present
indicative
preterite
imperfect
present
Translate to Spanish
Words that translate to "pecar" in Spanish:
to sin→✏️ Quick Practice
Quick Quiz: pecar
Question 1 of 3
Which of these is the correct 'I' form for 'I sinned' (past tense)?
📚 More Resources
👥 Word Family▼
📚 Etymology▼
From the Latin word 'peccare', which originally meant 'to stumble' or 'to make a mistake'. Over time, it took on the more serious meaning of a moral or religious failing.
First recorded: 12th century
Cognates (Related words)
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Frequently Asked Questions
Does 'pecar' always involve religion?
Not necessarily! While it has religious roots, you can 'pecar' against your diet by eating a cookie, or 'pecar de impaciente' just by being too hurried.
What is the difference between 'pecar' and 'cometer un error'?
'Cometer un error' is for general mistakes (like math or typos). 'Pecar' implies a moral fault or an extreme personality trait.
Is 'pecar' a common word?
Yes, especially the phrase 'pecar de...', which appears frequently in Spanish media and daily conversation to describe people's characters.