pesar
/peh-SAHR/
to weigh
Pesar (to weigh): Using a scale to measure the mass of an object.
📝 In Action
¿Cuánto pesa esta caja?
A2How much does this box weigh?
Mi maleta pesa demasiado para el vuelo.
B1My suitcase weighs too much for the flight.
El bebé pesó tres kilos al nacer.
A2The baby weighed three kilograms at birth.
💡 Grammar Points
Regular -AR Verb
Pesar follows the standard pattern for regular verbs ending in -ar, making its conjugations predictable.
⭐ Usage Tips
Use with measurements
Use this verb when you are asking for or stating the physical mass of an object, animal, or person.
Pesar (to regret): Feeling bad or remorseful about an action that has occurred.
pesar(verb)
to regret
?to feel bad about something
,to weigh on one's mind
?to be a burden
to grieve
?to cause sorrow
📝 In Action
Me pesa no haber ido a la universidad.
B1I regret not having gone to university. (Literally: It weighs on me...)
A ella le pesa mucho la muerte de su abuela.
B2Her grandmother's death weighs heavily on her.
Aunque es una decisión difícil, no me pesa.
B2Although it is a difficult decision, I don't regret it.
💡 Grammar Points
Used like 'Gustar'
When expressing regret, 'pesar' often uses indirect object pronouns (me, te, le, nos, les) to show who feels the weight/burden, similar to how the verb 'gustar' works.
❌ Common Pitfalls
Mixing up the subject
Mistake: "Yo peso el error. (Incorrect use for regret)"
Correction: Me pesa el error. (The error is the thing weighing on 'me'.)
⭐ Usage Tips
Emotional Weight
Think of this meaning as describing something that 'carries a heavy emotional weight' for someone.
Pesar (sorrow): A noun describing the feeling of deep sadness or grief.
📝 In Action
Su rostro reflejaba un gran pesar.
C1His face reflected great sorrow.
Fue con mucho pesar que aceptaron la derrota.
C1It was with great regret that they accepted the defeat.
💡 Grammar Points
The Expression 'A pesar de'
The noun 'pesar' is most frequently encountered as part of the prepositional phrase 'a pesar de' (despite/in spite of), which is an essential B1 phrase.
⭐ Usage Tips
Formal Context
When used as a noun, 'pesar' sounds more formal and emphasizes depth of feeling, compared to simpler words like 'pena' (pity/sorrow).
🔄 Conjugations
indicative
present
imperfect
preterite
subjunctive
present
imperfect
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: pesar
Question 1 of 1
Which sentence uses 'pesar' in the sense of measurement?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
How is 'pesar' different from the common phrase 'a pesar de'?
The phrase 'a pesar de' (meaning 'despite' or 'in spite of') uses the noun form of 'pesar' but acts as a fixed prepositional unit. While related, you should learn 'a pesar de' as its own unit, separate from the verb 'pesar' (to weigh/to regret).
Does 'pesar' change its meaning if I use it with the indirect object pronouns (me, te, le)?
Yes. When used impersonally with pronouns (like 'Me pesa'), the meaning switches from physical measurement ('I weigh') to emotional regret or burden ('It weighs on me / I regret').