How to Say "to pursue" in Spanish
The most common Spanish word for “to pursue” is “perseguir” — use 'perseguir' when you are literally chasing or following something or someone, or when you are actively striving to achieve a significant personal goal like a dream or career..
perseguir
pehr-seh-GEER/peɾseˈɣiɾ/
Examples
Ella persigue su sueño de ser escritora desde que era niña.
She has been pursuing her dream of being a writer since she was a child.
El perro persiguió al gato hasta el tejado.
The dog chased the cat all the way to the roof.
La policía persigue al ladrón por las calles estrechas.
The police are pursuing the thief through the narrow streets.
Si persigues la perfección, nunca la alcanzarás.
If you pursue perfection, you will never reach it.
The 'E' to 'I' Change
In the present tense, the 'e' in the stem changes to 'i' whenever the stress falls on the stem (like in 'persigues' or 'persiguen'), but not in 'nosotros' or 'vosotros'.
No Preposition Needed
Unlike some English phrases ('strive for'), 'perseguir' usually connects directly to the goal without a preposition: 'perseguir la felicidad' (to pursue happiness).
Forgetting the 'G' change
Mistake: “Yo persigo (Incorrect: Yo persigo)”
Correction: Yo persigo. The 'g' changes to 'gu' before 'o' to keep the hard 'g' sound, just like in 'distinguir' (distingo).
seguir
/seh-GEER//seˈɣiɾ/
Examples
Para montar el mueble, tienes que seguir las instrucciones.
To assemble the furniture, you have to follow the instructions.
Siempre sigo los consejos de mi madre.
I always follow my mother's advice.
Ella quiere seguir una carrera en medicina.
She wants to pursue a career in medicine.
perseguir
pehr-seh-GEER/peɾseˈɣiɾ/
Examples
El perro persiguió al gato hasta el tejado.
The dog chased the cat all the way to the roof.
La policía persigue al ladrón por las calles estrechas.
The police are pursuing the thief through the narrow streets.
Ella persigue su sueño de ser escritora desde que era niña.
She has been pursuing her dream of being a writer since she was a child.
Si persigues la perfección, nunca la alcanzarás.
If you pursue perfection, you will never reach it.
The 'E' to 'I' Change
In the present tense, the 'e' in the stem changes to 'i' whenever the stress falls on the stem (like in 'persigues' or 'persiguen'), but not in 'nosotros' or 'vosotros'.
No Preposition Needed
Unlike some English phrases ('strive for'), 'perseguir' usually connects directly to the goal without a preposition: 'perseguir la felicidad' (to pursue happiness).
Forgetting the 'G' change
Mistake: “Yo persigo (Incorrect: Yo persigo)”
Correction: Yo persigo. The 'g' changes to 'gu' before 'o' to keep the hard 'g' sound, just like in 'distinguir' (distingo).
Goals vs. Instructions
Related Translations
Learn Spanish with Inklingo
Interactive stories, personalized learning, and more.