persigue
“persigue” means “chases” in Spanish. It has 2 different meanings depending on context:
chases, pursues
Also: follows
📝 In Action
El gato persigue al ratón por toda la casa.
A2The cat chases the mouse all over the house.
Mi sombra me persigue cuando camino bajo el sol.
B1My shadow follows me when I walk under the sun.
¡Persigue al coche! No dejes que se escape.
B1Chase the car! Don't let it get away.
pursues, seeks
Also: strives for
📝 In Action
Ella persigue la excelencia en todo lo que hace.
B2She pursues excellence in everything she does.
El científico persigue una nueva teoría sobre el universo.
C1The scientist pursues a new theory about the universe.
🔄 Conjugations
indicative
imperfect
present
preterite
subjunctive
imperfect
present
Translate to Spanish
✏️ Quick Practice
Quick Quiz: persigue
Question 1 of 1
Which of the following sentences uses 'persigue' as an informal command?
📚 More Resources
👥 Word Family▼
📚 Etymology▼
Comes from the Latin verb *persequi*, which meant 'to follow up, pursue, or prosecute.' The Spanish meaning has stayed very close to this original sense.
First recorded: 13th century
Cognates (Related words)
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Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know if 'persigue' means 'chases' or 'pursues a goal'?
If the thing being chased is physical (a car, a person, a ball), it means 'chase.' If the thing is abstract (a dream, happiness, a better life), it means 'pursue' or 'seek.'
Why does *perseguir* change spelling in the present tense?
It’s an irregular verb pattern where the 'e' in the middle of the verb changes to 'i' in most singular forms. This happens in similar verbs like *seguir* (to follow).