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How to Say "assaulted" in Spanish

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atacó

VerbA2General
Use 'atacó' when referring to a direct, often physical, act of aggression or attack by a subject upon an object or person.

Examples

El perro atacó al cartero sin razón.

The dog attacked the mail carrier for no reason.

atacado

/ah-tah-KAH-doh//ataˈkaðo/

AdjectiveB1General
Use 'atacado' when describing something that has been the recipient of an attack, often in a more passive or descriptive sense, like a location or a group.
A simple wooden castle wall being struck by three bright, cartoon-style arrows.

Examples

El castillo fue atacado por el ejército enemigo.

The castle was attacked by the enemy army.

El bosque está atacado por una plaga de insectos.

The forest is afflicted by an insect plague.

Passive Voice

In this meaning, 'atacado' is often used to describe the recipient of an action, like 'The city was attacked' (La ciudad fue atacada).

Verb vs. Adjective Confusion

Learners often confuse 'atacó' (a verb form, meaning 'he/she/it attacked') with 'atacado' (an adjective or past participle, meaning 'attacked' or 'under attack'). Remember that 'atacó' describes the action of attacking, while 'atacado' describes the state of being attacked.

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