How to Say "hit" in Spanish
The most common Spanish word for “hit” is “golpe” — use 'golpe' when referring to a physical strike or blow, like an impact from an object or person..
golpe
/GOHL-peh//ˈɡolpe/
Examples
Recibió un fuerte golpe en la cabeza al caer.
He received a strong blow to the head when falling.
Oímos un golpe en la puerta y fuimos a abrir.
We heard a knock at the door and went to open it.
La caja se cayó con un gran golpe.
The box fell with a big thump/bang.
Masculine Noun Rule
Even though 'golpe' ends in 'e', it is always a masculine noun, meaning you must use 'el' or 'un' before it (e.g., el golpe, un golpe).
Confusing 'Golpear'
Mistake: “Using 'golpear' (the verb, to hit) instead of the noun 'golpe' when describing the action itself, like saying 'el golpear' for 'a hit'.”
Correction: Use the noun: 'Fue un golpe muy fuerte.' (It was a very strong hit.)
golpeó
Examples
El coche rojo golpeó el muro de contención.
The red car hit the retaining wall.
pegó
Examples
El boxeador le pegó un golpe terrible.
The boxer hit him with a terrible blow.
éxito
Examples
Esa canción fue el mayor éxito del verano.
That song was the biggest hit of the summer.
exitoso
/eh-hee-TOH-soh//eksiˈtoso/
Examples
Ella es una abogada muy exitosa en Madrid.
She is a very successful lawyer in Madrid.
El lanzamiento del nuevo producto fue muy exitoso.
The launch of the new product was very successful.
Queremos tener un negocio exitoso.
We want to have a successful business.
Matching Gender and Number
This word changes its ending to match the person or thing you are describing. Use 'exitoso' for one male/masculine thing, 'exitosa' for one female/feminine thing, and add an 's' for plurals (exitosos/exitosas).
Using with 'Ser'
Since success is often seen as a characteristic or a lasting state, we almost always use the verb 'ser' (to be) instead of 'estar'.
The 'Exit' Confusion
Mistake: “Using 'exitoso' to mean someone is near an 'exit' (doorway).”
Correction: The word for a physical 'exit' is 'salida'. 'Exitoso' only refers to achievement and success.
golpeado
gol-pe-AH-do/ɡolpeˈaðo/
Examples
Hemos golpeado la puerta sin querer.
We have hit the door accidentally.
La campana fue golpeada por el sacristán.
The bell was struck by the sexton.
¿Quién ha golpeado el balón tan fuerte?
Who has hit the ball so hard?
Perfect Tenses
The form 'golpeado' is combined with the verb 'haber' (to have) to create perfect tenses, which describe actions completed in the past, like 'He golpeado' (I have hit).
Passive Voice
When used with the verb 'ser' (to be), it describes an action being done to the subject. In this case, it acts like an adjective and must agree in gender and number (e.g., 'La pelota fue golpeada').
Using 'Estar' for Perfect Tenses
Mistake: “Yo estoy golpeado la mesa.”
Correction: Yo he golpeado la mesa. (Always use 'haber' for forming perfect tenses, not 'estar'.)
pegado
/peh-GAH-doh//peˈɣa.ðo/
Examples
Hemos pegado todos los sellos al sobre.
We have stuck all the stamps on the envelope.
Nunca le había pegado a nadie.
He had never hit anyone.
Forming Perfect Tenses
The word 'pegado' is the form you use after a conjugated form of 'haber' (to have) to describe actions completed in the past, like 'he pegado' (I have stuck/hit).
Spelling Change in 'Pegar'
The verb 'pegar' adds a 'u' before the 'e' sound in certain forms (like 'pegué' or 'pegue') to keep the hard 'g' sound, otherwise it would sound like 'peje'.
atacó
Examples
La gripe lo atacó justo antes de las vacaciones.
The flu struck him right before vacation.
Physical Blow vs. Success
Related Translations
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