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How to Say "to copy" in Spanish

English → Spanish

copiar

koh-pyahr/koˈpjaɾ/

verbA1
Use this word when you are making a duplicate of physical or digital information, like documents, files, or text.
A sheet of paper with a drawing of a red apple being duplicated by a machine onto another sheet of paper.

Examples

Necesito copiar estos documentos para la reunión.

I need to copy these documents for the meeting.

Los alumnos están copiando la tarea de la pizarra.

The students are copying the homework from the board.

Puedes copiar y pegar el texto en un correo nuevo.

You can copy and paste the text into a new email.

Using 'de'

When you want to say you are copying 'from' somewhere, use the word 'de' (e.g., 'Copia de la pizarra' - Copy from the board).

Predictable Pattern

This verb follows the standard pattern for verbs ending in -ar, making it easy to conjugate in all tenses.

Confusing with 'hacer copias'

Mistake: “Voy a hacer copias este papel.”

Correction: Voy a copiar este papel (or 'sacar copias de este papel').

imitar

/ee-mee-TAHR//imiˈtaɾ/

verbA2
Use this word when someone is copying the actions, behavior, or mannerisms of another person.
A child in a chef's hat and apron copying the actions of an adult chef by kneading dough on a wooden table.

Examples

El niño imita todo lo que hace su hermano mayor.

The boy copies everything his older brother does.

Ella sabe imitar muy bien el acento de sus amigos.

She knows how to mimic her friends' accents very well.

No intentes imitar a los demás; es mejor ser tú mismo.

Don't try to copy others; it is better to be yourself.

The 'Personal A'

When you are imitating a specific person, you must use the word 'a' before their name or the word for the person. For example: 'Imito a mi madre' (I copy my mother).

A Friendly Regular Verb

This verb follows the standard rules for all '-ar' verbs, making it very predictable and easy to use in all tenses.

Don't forget the 'a'

Mistake: “Imito mi profesor.”

Correction: Imito a mi profesor. Use 'a' because you are talking about a person who receives the action.

fusilar

/foo-see-LAHR//fusiˈlaɾ/

verbC1informal
Use this word when referring to plagiarism or copying someone else's work with the intent to pass it off as your own.
A person hiding behind a large book while secretly copying another person's handwritten notes onto their own paper.

Examples

Ese autor fusiló todo el capítulo de un libro francés.

That author ripped off the entire chapter from a French book.

No puedes fusilar el diseño de mi página web.

You can't just copy the design of my website.

Se nota que has fusilado las respuestas del examen.

It's obvious you've copied the answers for the exam.

Direct Object

When 'fusilar' means to copy, you don't need a special word before the thing you are copying. Just 'fusilar algo' (to rip something off).

Register awareness

Mistake: “Using 'fusilar' in a formal academic appeal.”

Correction: In formal settings like a university hearing, use 'plagiarizar' or 'cometer plagio'. 'Fusilar' is too informal for official documents.

Copiar vs. Fusilar

Learners often confuse 'copiar' with 'fusilar'. Remember that 'copiar' is for making duplicates, while 'fusilar' specifically means to plagiarize or cheat by copying someone else's work, often in an academic or creative context.

Related Translations

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