How to Say "to assault" in Spanish
The most common Spanish word for “to assault” is “atacar” — use 'atacar' for any sudden, aggressive action, whether physical or metaphorical, like an animal attacking prey or an illness attacking the body.
Use 'atacar' for any sudden, aggressive action, whether physical or metaphorical, like an animal attacking prey or an illness attacking the body.
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Choose 'agredir' when referring to a physical attack on a person, often in a legal or violent context, such as a physical altercation or assault.
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Use 'asaltar' specifically for a military attack on a fortified place or for a robbery where someone is threatened.
Learn more →ah-tah-KAHRataˈkaɾ
Examples
El león intentó atacar a la cebra.
The lion tried to attack the zebra.
Las fuerzas enemigas atacaron al amanecer.
The enemy forces attacked at dawn.
Spelling Change in Preterite 'Yo'
To keep the hard 'k' sound of the 'c' before the vowel 'e', the 'c' changes to 'qu' only in the 'yo' form of the preterite (ataqué).
Incorrect Preterite Spelling
Mistake: “Yo atacé (with a 'z' sound)”
Correction: Yo ataqué. Remember that 'c' sounds like 's' or 'th' before 'e' or 'i', so you must use 'qu' to keep the hard 'k' sound.
ah-gray-DEERa.ɣɾe.ˈðiɾ
Examples
El hombre intentó agredir al policía durante la protesta.
The man tried to attack the police officer during the protest.
Nunca es aceptable agredir a alguien por sus ideas.
It is never acceptable to verbally attack someone for their ideas.
Fue agredida por un desconocido en la calle.
She was assaulted by a stranger in the street.
The 'Personal A'
Since agredir usually involves a person receiving the action, you must use 'a' before the victim. For example: 'Agredió a su vecino' (He attacked his neighbor).
Modern Usage
Historically, this word was 'defective' (only used when the ending started with an 'i'), but in modern Spanish, it is used as a full, regular verb in all forms.
Missing the 'A'
Mistake: “Agredió el hombre.”
Correction: Agredió al hombre. (Because the man is a person receiving the action, you need the 'a'.)
ah-sahl-TAHRasalˈtaɾ
Examples
Las tropas asaltaron la fortaleza al amanecer.
The troops stormed the fortress at dawn.
Tengo tanta hambre que voy a asaltar la nevera.
I'm so hungry that I'm going to raid the fridge.
Varios fans asaltaron el escenario durante el concierto.
Several fans stormed the stage during the concert.
Direct objects
When asaltar means 'to storm' a place, the place is the direct object. You don't need 'a' for a place, only for people.
Confusing with 'atacar'
Mistake: “El perro me asaltó.”
Correction: El perro me atacó.
Distinguishing 'agredir' and 'asaltar'
Learners often confuse 'agredir' and 'asaltar'. Remember, 'agredir' is a general physical attack on a person, while 'asaltar' is more specific, referring to a military assault or a robbery.
Related Translations
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