How to Say "to stifle" in Spanish
The most common Spanish word for “to stifle” is “ahogar” — use 'ahogar' when you need to express suppressing a sound or an emotion, like a cry, a laugh, or a feeling of desperation.
Use 'ahogar' when you need to express suppressing a sound or an emotion, like a cry, a laugh, or a feeling of desperation.
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Choose 'reprimir' when you are talking about holding back a specific, involuntary bodily action such as a yawn, a sneeze, or the urge to cry.
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Use 'estrangular' when you mean to severely restrict or impede the progress, development, or growth of something, often applied to economies or businesses.
Learn more →ah-oh-GARaoˈɡaɾ
Examples
Intentó ahogar su risa para no molestar.
He tried to stifle his laughter so as not to bother anyone.
Ella intentó ahogar un sollozo para que nadie la oyeran.
She tried to stifle a sob so no one would hear her.
Las deudas están ahogando a la pequeña empresa.
Debts are overwhelming the small business.
Creo que has ahogado el motor al intentar arrancarlo.
I think you've flooded the engine trying to start it.
Figurative Drowning
Just like in English, you can 'drown' in work or debt. In Spanish, we use 'ahogarse' for that feeling of being trapped by pressure.
reh-pree-MEERre.pɾiˈmiɾ
Examples
Tuve que reprimir un bostezo durante la aburrida conferencia.
I had to stifle a yawn during the boring conference.
Tuve que reprimir las ganas de llorar.
I had to hold back the urge to cry.
Ella siempre reprime sus sentimientos.
She always suppresses her feelings.
Reprimió un bostezo durante la aburrida presentación.
He stifled a yawn during the boring presentation.
A Regular -ir Verb
Reprimir follows the standard pattern for verbs ending in -ir, like 'vivir' or 'abrir.' No surprises in the spelling!
Using it with 'se'
When you want to say you are holding yourself back from doing something, use the reflexive form 'reprimirse': 'Me reprimí de decirle la verdad' (I stopped myself from telling him the truth).
Reprimir vs. Suprimir
Mistake: “Using 'reprimir' when you mean to delete or eliminate something entirely.”
Correction: Use 'reprimir' for holding back feelings/actions, but 'suprimir' for deleting a file, a paragraph, or a job position.
es-trahn-goo-LAHRestɾaŋɡuˈlaɾ
Examples
La burocracia excesiva puede estrangular la innovación.
Excessive bureaucracy can stifle innovation.
Los altos impuestos están estrangulando la economía nacional.
High taxes are stifling the national economy.
La falta de inversión estranguló el proyecto antes de empezar.
The lack of investment choked off the project before it started.
Esa ley va a estrangular el crecimiento de las pequeñas empresas.
That law is going to restrict the growth of small companies.
Figurative Language
Just like in English, physical actions (squeezing a neck) can describe abstract actions (squeezing a budget).
Distinguishing 'ahogar' and 'reprimir'
Learners often confuse 'ahogar' and 'reprimir'. Remember, 'ahogar' is for suppressing sounds or feelings, while 'reprimir' is specifically for holding back involuntary actions like yawns or sneezes.
Related Translations
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