Inklingo

How to Say "to bully" in Spanish

English → Spanish

acosar

/ah-ko-SAR//akoˈsaɾ/

verbB1general
Use 'acosar' when the bullying involves repeated actions like harassment, threats, or psychological abuse over time, often in a work or school context.
A small bird being persistently followed and surrounded by several noisy, larger birds in a bright garden.

Examples

El acoso escolar puede tener graves consecuencias en los jóvenes.

School bullying can have serious consequences for young people.

Es ilegal acosar a los compañeros de trabajo.

It is illegal to harass co-workers.

No me acoses con tantas preguntas ahora mismo.

Don't pester me with so many questions right now.

El niño denunció que otros estudiantes lo acosaban.

The boy reported that other students were bullying him.

The 'Personal A'

Since 'acosar' usually involves a person receiving the action, you must use the word 'a' before the person's name or title. For example: 'Acosar a su vecino'.

Direct Object Use

In Spanish, the person being harassed is treated as the direct target. This means you use pronouns like 'lo', 'la', or 'los' to refer back to them.

Confusion with 'Cazar'

Mistake: “Using 'cazar' when you mean social bullying.”

Correction: Use 'acosar' for persistent bothering or bullying; 'cazar' is specifically for hunting animals for sport or food.

intimidar

/een-tee-mee-dar//intimiˈðaɾ/

verbB1general
Use 'intimidar' when the bullying involves making someone feel fearful or threatened, often through physical presence, aggressive behavior, or menacing words.
A small, fluffy kitten looking up at a very large, looming shadow of a big dog.

Examples

Intentó intimidar al testigo con su mirada.

He tried to intimidate the witness with his stare.

No dejes que su tamaño te intimide.

Don't let his size intimidate you.

El examen final intimida a muchos estudiantes.

The final exam intimidates many students.

Su mirada fría lograba intimidar a sus oponentes.

His cold stare managed to daunt his opponents.

Using 'a' with people

When you are intimidating a specific person, you must put 'a' before their name or the word for the person. For example: 'Intimida a su hermano'.

The reflexive form

If you want to say you 'get' intimidated or 'feel' intimidated, add 'se' to the end: 'Me intimido fácilmente' (I get intimidated easily).

Don't forget the 'a'

Mistake: “Intimido mi jefe.”

Correction: Intimido a mi jefe. (Remember to use 'a' when the action happens to a specific person!)

Acosar vs. Intimidar

Learners often confuse 'acosar' and 'intimidar'. Remember that 'acosar' implies ongoing, persistent harassment, while 'intimidar' is more about making someone feel scared in the moment, often with a direct threat or menacing presence.

Related Translations

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