pescar
/pes-CAR/
to fish
This image illustrates the literal meaning of 'pescar': to fish, or catching aquatic animals.
pescar(verb)
to fish
?catching aquatic animals
to catch
?a specific fish or quantity
,to angle
?sport fishing
📝 In Action
Mi abuelo siempre va a pescar los domingos por la mañana.
A1My grandfather always goes fishing on Sunday mornings.
Logramos pescar un salmón enorme en el río.
A2We managed to catch a huge salmon in the river.
¿Sabes cómo pescar con mosca?
B1Do you know how to fish with a fly (fly-fishing)?
💡 Grammar Points
Spelling Change (Car -> Qué)
To keep the hard 'k' sound before 'e', the 'c' changes to 'qu' in the 'yo' form of the past (pesqué) and across all forms of the special verb moods (like the subjunctive: pesque, pesquemos).
❌ Common Pitfalls
Using the wrong preposition
Mistake: "Vamos a pescar en el río."
Correction: Vamos a pescar al río. (Or just 'Vamos a pescar.') 'Ir a pescar' is treated as a single activity.
⭐ Usage Tips
Simple Activity Phrase
When talking about the activity, you usually just say 'ir a pescar' (to go fishing), not 'ir para pescar'.
'Pescar' can also mean to catch an illness, like a cold or the flu.
pescar(verb)
to catch
?a cold, flu, or disease
to pick up
?an infection
📝 In Action
Si sales sin chaqueta, vas a pescar un resfriado.
A2If you go out without a jacket, you are going to catch a cold.
Parece que pesqué la gripe en el viaje.
B1It seems I picked up the flu on the trip.
💡 Grammar Points
Focus on the Result
This meaning often uses the past tenses (preterite or perfect) because catching a sickness is usually a completed action: 'Pesqué un resfriado' (I caught a cold).
⭐ Usage Tips
Synonym Alert
In many regions, 'pillar' is used informally instead of 'pescar' when talking about catching a cold or a minor illness.
In figurative language, 'pescar' means to catch on or grasp an idea.
pescar(verb)
to catch on
?to understand or grasp an idea
,to spot
?to notice a lie or mistake
to get (it)
?to understand (informal)
📝 In Action
El profesor explicó la fórmula tres veces, pero yo no pesqué nada.
B1The teacher explained the formula three times, but I didn't catch anything (didn't understand anything).
Ella intentó mentir, pero él la pescó al instante.
B2She tried to lie, but he caught her instantly (he spotted the lie).
💡 Grammar Points
Using the Negative
This meaning is very common in negative sentences, often meaning 'not to grasp' or 'not to understand at all,' like 'no pesqué la broma' (I didn't get the joke).
⭐ Usage Tips
Informal Context
Use this meaning in casual conversations with friends. For formal writing, use 'entender' or 'comprender' instead.
🔄 Conjugations
indicative
present
imperfect
preterite
subjunctive
present
imperfect
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: pescar
Question 1 of 2
Which sentence uses 'pescar' in its figurative sense of understanding?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between 'pescado' and 'pez'?
'Pez' is a live fish swimming in the water. 'Pescado' is the fish that has already been caught and is typically prepared for eating (the food). Think of 'pescado' as the past participle of 'pescar' (caught).
Is 'pescar' used for catching things other than fish or illnesses?
Yes, informally, 'pescar' can mean to 'catch' or 'spot' someone doing something wrong (like catching a thief), or to 'catch' or 'get' a subtle idea or a joke.