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How to Say "hits" in Spanish

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golpea

/gol-PÉH-ah//ɡolˈpea/

Verb (Conjugation)A1General
Use 'golpea' when referring to the action of one person or thing striking another, often as a direct, active verb.
A cartoon character's hand is shown mid-action, striking a large, colorful drum with force.

Examples

Ella golpea la puerta para entrar.

She knocks on the door to enter.

El viento golpea las ventanas toda la noche.

The wind hits the windows all night.

Si usted golpea el tambor, sonará más fuerte.

If you (formal) hit the drum, it will sound louder.

Dual Role of 'Golpea'

This single form means two things: 'He/She/It hits' (Present tense) AND 'Hit!' (giving a friendly command to one person, the tú imperative).

Confusing 'Golpear' and 'Pegar'

Mistake: “Using 'pegar' when referring to the wind or waves hitting something, which often sounds too harsh.”

Correction: 'Golpear' is better for non-aggressive striking, like wind on a window or waves on the shore. 'El mar golpea la costa'.

golpes

GOHL-pehs/ˈɡolpes/

NounA2General
Use 'golpes' to describe the noun form of impacts or forceful contacts, such as the result of a physical collision or repeated blows.
A simple illustration showing a red boxing glove striking a blue boxing glove in mid-air, with motion lines indicating a forceful impact, symbolizing physical blows.

Examples

El árbol resistió los golpes del viento fuerte.

The tree resisted the blows from the strong wind.

Después de la pelea, tenía muchos golpes en el cuerpo.

After the fight, he had many bruises/hits on his body.

La empresa sufrió varios golpes financieros este año.

The company suffered several financial shocks this year.

Always Masculine

Remember that 'golpes' is a masculine plural noun, so any descriptive words (adjectives) you use with it must also be masculine and plural: 'golpes fuertes' (strong blows).

Using 'Golpes' for Bruises

Mistake: “Using 'golpes' to mean 'bruises' when the focus is the discoloration: 'Tengo un golpe azul.'”

Correction: While 'golpe' can mean the injury, 'moretón' is the common word for the bruise itself. Say: 'Tengo un moretón grande.' (I have a big bruise.)

palos

/PAH-lohs//ˈpalos/

NounB1Informal/Colloquial
Use 'palos' when referring to physical beatings or severe strikes, often implying a punishment or a very aggressive act.
A thick brown wooden stick or club is shown mid-swing, indicated by simple movement lines against a plain background.

Examples

Le dieron palos por intentar robar.

They gave him a beating for trying to steal.

Recibió varios palos en la cabeza durante la pelea.

He received several blows to the head during the fight.

Using 'Dar' for Action

When talking about giving a blow or hit, Spanish often uses the verb 'dar' (to give): 'dar palos' (to give blows).

Verb vs. Noun Confusion

Learners often confuse 'golpea' (verb) with 'golpes' (noun). Remember that 'golpea' describes the action of hitting, while 'golpes' refers to the impacts or blows themselves.

Related Translations

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