How to Say "to tighten" in Spanish
The Spanish word for “to tighten” is “apretar” — A2 level. This is a very common word in everyday Spanish.
English → SpanishA2
verbA2
screws, belts, or clothing
Examples
Tienes que apretar el botón rojo para empezar.
You have to press the red button to start.
Estos zapatos me aprietan mucho.
These shoes are very tight on me (they squeeze me).
Aprieta el tornillo con el destornillador.
Tighten the screw with the screwdriver.
The Spelling Change
This verb is a 'stem-changer.' The 'e' in the middle changes to 'ie' when you stress it (like 'aprieto'), but stays as 'e' when the ending is stressed (like 'apretamos').
Don't forget the 'ie'
Mistake: “yo apreto”
Correction: yo aprieto - Remember the 'e' changes to 'ie' in most present tense forms.
Related Translations
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