perseguir
/pehr-seh-GEER/
to chase
When perseguir means 'to chase,' it implies following quickly to catch.
perseguir(verb)
to chase
?following quickly to catch
,to pursue
?following a trail or track
to run after
?informal physical pursuit
📝 In Action
El perro persiguió al gato hasta el tejado.
A2The dog chased the cat all the way to the roof.
La policía persigue al ladrón por las calles estrechas.
B1The police are pursuing the thief through the narrow streets.
💡 Grammar Points
The 'E' to 'I' Change
In the present tense, the 'e' in the stem changes to 'i' whenever the stress falls on the stem (like in 'persigues' or 'persiguen'), but not in 'nosotros' or 'vosotros'.
❌ Common Pitfalls
Forgetting the 'G' change
Mistake: "Yo persigo (Incorrect: Yo persigo)"
Correction: Yo persigo. The 'g' changes to 'gu' before 'o' to keep the hard 'g' sound, just like in 'distinguir' (distingo).
⭐ Usage Tips
Use 'A' for People
When chasing a person or pet, remember to use the personal 'a': 'Persigo a mi hermano' (I chase my brother).
The verb perseguir is also used to mean 'to pursue' goals or dreams.
perseguir(verb)
to pursue
?goals, dreams, or career
,to seek
?an objective or ideal
to aspire to
?a high goal
📝 In Action
Ella persigue su sueño de ser escritora desde que era niña.
B2She has been pursuing her dream of being a writer since she was a child.
Si persigues la perfección, nunca la alcanzarás.
C1If you pursue perfection, you will never reach it.
💡 Grammar Points
No Preposition Needed
Unlike some English phrases ('strive for'), 'perseguir' usually connects directly to the goal without a preposition: 'perseguir la felicidad' (to pursue happiness).
⭐ Usage Tips
Formal Context
This meaning is often used in serious or formal contexts, such as speeches, articles, or when discussing life choices.
In a serious context, perseguir means 'to persecute,' treating someone hostilely due to their identity or beliefs.
perseguir(verb)
to persecute
?treating someone hostilely due to belief/race
,to harass
?continually bothering someone
to victimize
?treating unfairly
📝 In Action
El régimen persiguió a los disidentes políticos durante décadas.
C1The regime persecuted political dissidents for decades.
Ella siente que su jefe la persigue con tareas imposibles.
B2She feels that her boss is harassing her with impossible tasks.
⭐ Usage Tips
Stronger than 'Molestar'
While it can mean 'to harass,' 'perseguir' carries a much stronger, darker connotation than the simple 'molestar' (to bother). Use it for serious, sustained unfair treatment.
🔄 Conjugations
indicative
imperfect
present
preterite
subjunctive
imperfect
present
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: perseguir
Question 1 of 2
Which sentence uses 'perseguir' in the sense of 'going after a goal'?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
Is 'perseguir' the same as 'seguir'?
No, they are related but different. 'Seguir' just means 'to follow' (like following instructions or walking behind someone). 'Perseguir' means 'to pursue' or 'to chase'—it implies trying to catch something or achieve something, usually with greater effort or speed.
How do I remember the stem change?
'Perseguir' is similar to 'pedir' (to ask/order). Both change their 'e' to 'i' when the stress falls on that part of the word (e.g., persigues, pides). Just remember that 'perseguir' also has the extra spelling trick in the 'yo' form (persigo) to keep the sound consistent.