sucumbir
“sucumbir” means “to give in” in Spanish. It has 2 different meanings depending on context:
to give in, to succumb
Also: to yield
📝 In Action
Es difícil no sucumbir a la tentación de un postre tan rico.
B1It is hard not to give in to the temptation of such a delicious dessert.
El gobierno no sucumbirá ante las presiones externas.
B2The government will not yield to external pressures.
Finalmente, el equipo sucumbió ante el cansancio en el último minuto.
C1Finally, the team gave in to exhaustion in the last minute.
to perish, to die
📝 In Action
Muchos sucumbieron a la peste durante la Edad Media.
C1Many perished from the plague during the Middle Ages.
El herido sucumbió a sus lesiones poco después de llegar al hospital.
C1The injured man passed away from his injuries shortly after arriving at the hospital.
Subjunctive
Imperfect Subjunctive
Present Subjunctive
Indicative
Preterite
Imperfect
Present
Translate to Spanish
✏️ Quick Practice
Quick Quiz: sucumbir
Question 1 of 3
Which sentence correctly uses 'sucumbir' to mean giving in to a craving?
📚 More Resources
👥 Word Family▼
📚 Etymology▼
From the Latin word 'succumbere', which combines 'sub' (under) and 'cumbere' (to lie down). It literally meant 'to lie down under'.
First recorded: 15th century
Cognates (Related words)
💡 Master Spanish
Take your Spanish to the next level. Read 200+ illustrated and narrated Spanish stories tailored to your level with the Inklingo app!
Frequently Asked Questions
Is 'sucumbir' common in everyday Spanish?
It is less common than 'rendirse' or 'ceder'. You'll mostly see it in books, news, or when someone is being a bit dramatic about a temptation.
Can I use 'sucumbir' for a sports team losing?
Yes! If a team played hard but eventually lost because they were tired or the other team was too strong, you can say they 'sucumbieron'.
Does it have a different meaning in Latin America vs. Spain?
No, the meaning is consistent across the Spanish-speaking world.