Inklingo

How to Say "to snatch" in Spanish

English → Spanish

arrebatar

/ah-rre-bah-TAHR//areβaˈtaɾ/

verbB1
Use 'arrebatar' when someone forcefully and suddenly takes something away from another person, often in a public place like a street.
A hand suddenly grabbing a red apple from a wooden table.

Examples

El ladrón le arrebató el bolso en plena calle.

The thief snatched her purse in the middle of the street.

No dejes que te arrebaten tus sueños.

Don't let them take your dreams away from you.

Le arrebató el juguete a su hermano menor.

He grabbed the toy away from his younger brother.

Who it was taken from

When you snatch something from someone, you use the small word 'le' or 'a' before the person to show who lost the item.

Sudden Action

Unlike 'tomar' (to take), this word always implies that the action was very fast, unexpected, or aggressive.

Confusing with 'Coger'

Mistake: “Coger el bolso (to mean snatching).”

Correction: Use 'arrebatar' if there is force or violence involved; 'coger' is just for picking things up normally.

arrancar

/ah-rrahn-KAHR//araŋˈkar/

verbB2
Use 'arrancar' when you manage to extract or pull something out, often information or an item, from someone or something, implying effort or a struggle.
A person quickly grabbing a red hat from another person's head.

Examples

Logró arrancarle un secreto a su amigo.

He managed to draw a secret out of his friend.

Su chiste le arrancó una carcajada a todo el mundo.

His joke drew a loud laugh from everyone.

Using 'Le'

When you snatch or draw something FROM someone, we often use the word 'le' (to him/her). For example: 'Le arrancó el juguete' (He snatched the toy from her).

Arrebatar vs. Arrancar

Learners often confuse 'arrebatar' and 'arrancar' because both involve taking something. Remember that 'arrebatar' implies a sudden, forceful physical taking, like a robbery, while 'arrancar' suggests extracting something, often with some effort or skill, like pulling information out of someone.

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