Inklingo

How to Say "to pry" in Spanish

English → Spanish

husmear

/oos-meh-AHR//us.meˈaɾ/

verbB1informal
Use 'husmear' when 'to pry' refers to investigating something with curiosity, often in a physical or sensory way, like an animal sniffing something out.
A curious beagle dog with its nose pressed to the grass, sniffing a trail.

Examples

El perro empezó a husmear el rastro del conejo en el jardín.

The dog started to sniff the rabbit's trail in the garden.

No me gusta que la gente venga a husmear en mi oficina.

I don't like people coming to snoop around in my office.

Vimos a un extraño husmeando cerca de la puerta trasera.

We saw a stranger poking around near the back door.

Using the word with 'en'

When you are 'snooping' or 'prying' into something specific, like a drawer or a conversation, always follow the verb with the word 'en'.

Sniffing vs. Smelling

Unlike 'oler' (to smell), which can be passive, 'husmear' is an active movement where you are searching for a scent or info.

Husmear vs. Oler

Mistake: “Huelo en tu cajón.”

Correction: Husmeo en tu cajón. (Use 'husmear' for the physical act of prying or searching through something).

hurgar

/oor-GAHR//uɾˈɣaɾ/

verbB2
Use 'hurgar' when 'to pry' means to investigate too deeply into something private or secret, often with a negative connotation of being nosy.
A person using a long wooden stick to stir up dark mud from the bottom of a clear pond.

Examples

No quiero hurgar en el pasado.

I don't want to stir up the past.

Deja de hurgar en mis asuntos personales.

Stop meddling in my personal affairs.

Tus preguntas solo sirven para hurgar en la herida.

Your questions only serve to rub salt in the wound (stir up the pain).

Figurative Meaning

Just like digging in a bag, this word is used for 'digging' into people's lives or memories.

Hurgar vs. Husmear

Learners often confuse 'hurgar' and 'husmear' by using 'hurgar' for simple curiosity. Remember that 'husmear' is for investigating with senses, while 'hurgar' implies digging into secrets or sensitive matters.

Related Translations

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