Inklingo

How to Say "draw" in Spanish

The most common Spanish word for “draw” is “atraer” — use this verb when you mean to pull or move something towards itself, like magnets attracting metal, or when something has a general appeal.

atraer🔊A2

Use this verb when you mean to pull or move something towards itself, like magnets attracting metal, or when something has a general appeal.

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empate🔊A2

Use this noun for a tie in a competition, like a sports match where no one wins.

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sorteo🔊A2

Use this noun when referring to a lottery or raffle where a winner is chosen randomly.

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atractivo🔊B1

Use this noun to describe an interesting feature or a place that draws people, like a tourist attraction.

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saque🔊B1

Use this noun specifically when talking about drawing money from a bank or account.

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extracciónB1

Use this noun for the specific act of drawing out fluids, most commonly blood, in a medical context.

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tabla🔊B2

Use this noun to refer to a tied game or match, particularly in sports contexts, similar to 'empate'.

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imánB2

Use this noun metaphorically to mean something that strongly attracts people or things, like a magnet.

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reclamo🔊B2

Use this noun for something designed to attract attention or customers, like a special offer or advertisement.

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tirónC1

Use this noun to describe the ability to attract or appeal to people, especially a particular group like young people.

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English → Spanish

atraer

ah-trah-EHRa.tɾaˈeɾ

verbA2general
Use this verb when you mean to pull or move something towards itself, like magnets attracting metal, or when something has a general appeal.
A strong red and blue horseshoe magnet is pulling a small silver paperclip toward it across a flat surface, illustrating magnetic attraction.

Examples

El imán atrae los clavos de hierro.

The magnet draws the iron nails.

Los imanes siempre atraen el metal.

Magnets always attract metal.

La gravedad de la Tierra atrae a la Luna.

The Earth's gravity draws the Moon in.

The Irregular 'G' Sound

Notice how 'atraer' adds a 'g' sound in the 'yo' form of the present tense ('atraigo') and in the entire present subjunctive ('atraiga'). This is the same pattern as 'traer' (to bring) and 'caer' (to fall).

Forgetting the 'G'

Mistake: “Yo atrao (instead of atraigo)”

Correction: Always remember the added 'g' in the first person singular ('yo') of the present indicative and present subjunctive for verbs ending in -traer or -caer.

empate

em-pah-teemˈpate

nounA2sports, general
Use this noun for a tie in a competition, like a sports match where no one wins.
Two identical soccer balls resting side-by-side on a green grass field with a goal net in the background.

Examples

El partido de fútbol terminó en empate.

The soccer match ended in a draw.

Hubo un empate a dos entre los equipos.

There was a two-two tie between the teams.

Las encuestas muestran un empate técnico entre los candidatos.

The polls show a statistical tie between the candidates.

Using 'a' for Scores

When talking about a specific score that resulted in a tie, use the word 'a' between the numbers. For example: 'empate a tres' (a three-three tie).

Verbs that go with 'empate'

In Spanish, we usually 'break' (romper) or 'reach' (llegar a) a tie. To say a game 'ended in a tie,' use 'terminar en empate' or 'quedar en empate'.

Don't use 'hacer'

Mistake: “Hicimos un empate.”

Correction: Quedamos en empate (or) Empatamos.

sorteo

sor-TEH-ohsoɾˈteo

nounA2games, general
Use this noun when referring to a lottery or raffle where a winner is chosen randomly.
A hand reaching into a large glass bowl filled with many small folded slips of paper to pick a winner.

Examples

¿Quién ganó el sorteo de la lotería?

Who won the lottery draw?

He participado en un sorteo para ganar un viaje a España.

I entered a giveaway to win a trip to Spain.

El sorteo de los grupos para el mundial será mañana.

The draw for the World Cup groups will be tomorrow.

Gender and Endings

Since it ends in -o, it is almost always masculine. You should use 'el sorteo' or 'un sorteo'.

Verbs that go with 'Sorteo'

Use 'participar en' (participate in) or 'entrar en' (enter) when talking about joining a raffle.

Don't use 'para'

Mistake: “Participar para el sorteo.”

Correction: Participar en el sorteo. Use 'en' to say you are taking part in the event itself.

atractivo

ah-trahk-TEE-voha.tɾakˈti.βo

nounB1tourism, general
Use this noun to describe an interesting feature or a place that draws people, like a tourist attraction.
A large, brightly shining blue sapphire gemstone sitting prominently on a simple wooden pedestal, representing a feature that draws interest.

Examples

El principal atractivo turístico de la zona es el volcán.

The main tourist attraction of the area is the volcano.

Perdió su atractivo después del escándalo.

He lost his appeal after the scandal.

El bajo precio es el mayor atractivo de este producto.

The low price is the biggest draw of this product.

Always Masculine

When used as a noun meaning 'appeal' or 'attraction,' it is always masculine, regardless of the gender of the thing being discussed. Use 'el atractivo' or 'un atractivo'.

saque

SAH-kehˈsa.ke

nounB1finance, banking
Use this noun specifically when talking about drawing money from a bank or account.
A colorful storybook illustration showing a hand pulling a stack of green currency bills out of a small, stylized bank withdrawal slot.

Examples

El banco limitó el saque de efectivo diario.

The bank limited the daily cash withdrawal.

Tenemos que revisar el saque de mercancía del almacén.

We have to review the extraction (or removal) of merchandise from the warehouse.

Formal Contexts

In banking and business, 'saque' is often used in official documentation, even if people use 'retiro' in daily conversation.

extracción

nounB1medical
Use this noun for the specific act of drawing out fluids, most commonly blood, in a medical context.

Examples

Mañana tengo una extracción de sangre en el hospital.

Tomorrow I have a blood draw at the hospital.

tabla

TAH-blahˈtaβla

nounB2sports
Use this noun to refer to a tied game or match, particularly in sports contexts, similar to 'empate'.
An illustration of two cartoon figures locked in a tug-of-war where neither side is gaining ground, symbolizing a draw or tied game.

Examples

El partido de fútbol terminó en tabla a cero.

The soccer match ended in a zero-zero draw.

El ajedrecista forzó las tablas para no perder.

The chess player forced the draw so as not to lose.

Singular vs. Plural

When talking about chess or a sports draw, it is very common to use the plural form: 'las tablas'.

imán

nounB2figurative, general
Use this noun metaphorically to mean something that strongly attracts people or things, like a magnet.

Examples

Esta ciudad es un imán para los artistas.

This city is a magnet for artists.

reclamo

reh-KLAH-mohreˈklamo

nounB2marketing, sales
Use this noun for something designed to attract attention or customers, like a special offer or advertisement.
A bright red wooden bird whistle sitting on a forest floor.

Examples

El descuento del 50% fue un gran reclamo para los clientes.

The 50% discount was a great draw for customers.

El cazador usó un reclamo para atraer a los patos.

The hunter used a decoy/call to attract the ducks.

Ese cartel publicitario sirve como reclamo visual.

That billboard serves as a visual lure.

Using 'Reclamo' for People

You can use this to describe something that 'calls' to people's attention, like a bright sign or a low price.

Confusion with 'Anuncio'

Mistake: “Saying 'el reclamo' when you just mean a regular TV commercial.”

Correction: Use 'anuncio' for the ad itself; use 'reclamo' for the specific element inside the ad that catches the eye.

tirón

nounC1figurative, informal
Use this noun to describe the ability to attract or appeal to people, especially a particular group like young people.

Examples

Ese actor tiene mucho tirón entre los jóvenes.

That actor has a lot of appeal among young people.

Noun vs. Verb: Draw vs. Attract

Learners often confuse the Spanish verb 'atraer' (to attract/draw) with nouns like 'atractivo' (attraction) or 'empate' (a draw/tie). Remember that 'atraer' is an action, while 'atractivo' and 'empate' are things or states.

Related Translations

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