picar

=

to sting

verb

picar

transitive verb

1. to bite (sujeto: mosquito, serpiente); to sting (sujeto: avispa, escorpión, ortiga)

me picó una avispa -> I was stung by a wasp

2. to peck (sujeto: ave)

la gaviota me picó (en) una mano -> the seagull pecked my hand

3. to chop (triturar) (verdura); to mince (carne) (peninsular Spanish, RP)

4. to break up (piedra, hielo)

5. to chip the plaster off (pared)

6. (aperitivo)

picar unas aceitunas -> to have a few olives as an aperitif

7. to annoy (informal) (enojar) (peninsular Spanish)

8. to spur on (estimular) (persona, caballo)

aquello me picó la curiosidad -> that aroused my curiosity

9. to punch (perforar) (billete, ficha)

10. to type (up) (informal) (mecanografiar)

11. to goad (bullfighting)

12. to bounce (botar) (balón, pelota) (Am)

intransitive verb

13. to itch (escocer) (parte del cuerpo, herida, prenda)

me pican los ojos -> my eyes are stinging

14. to be spicy o hot (alimento)

15. to bite (pez); to take the bait (figurative) (dejarse engañar)

16. to peck (ave)

17. to nibble (tomar un aperitivo)

¿te pongo unas aceitunas para picar? -> would you like some olives as an aperitif?

18. to burn (sol)

19. to bounce (balón, pelota) (Am)

la pelota picó fuera -> the ball went out

also:

picar (muy) alto -> to have great ambitions

picarse

pronomial verb

1. to get choppy (mar)

2. to rot (diente)

3. to turn sour (vino)

4. to become moth-eaten (ropa)

5. to go rusty (oxidarse)

6. to get annoyed o cross (informal) (enfadarse)

7. to shoot up (informal) (inyectarse droga)

picar [pe-car’]

article & verb transitive

1. To prick with a pointed instrument (perforar).

2. To prick, to pierce with a small puncture.

3. To sting (insecto), pierce, or wound with a point darted out, as that of wasps or scorpions.

4. To mince or chop anything fine, to break into small pieces.

5. To peck like birds.

6. To nibble, to pick up or bite a little at a time: to eat squeamishly.

7. To nibble at the bait, as fish (pez).

8. To begin to get customers and thrive in business.

9. To pursue or harass an enemy.

10. To itch, to smart.

11. To burn or irritate the palate (paladar).

12. To prick, to spur (caballo), to goad, to incite, to stimulate.

13. To spur a hole.

14. To pique, to vex, to provoke with words or actions (provocar).

15. To tame a horse.

16. Joined with en, to begin to operate, or have effect.

17. To burn, to scorch.

verb reflexive

18. To be offended or vexed, to be piqued (persona).

19. To be moth-eaten, to be damaged.

20. To begin to rot (fruta).

21. To be elated with pride.

22. To be deceived. (Metaphorical)

23. To be in heat (animales).

24. To fret, to be angry, to be peevish.

Picar el anzuelo -> to bite the hook
Picar la carne -> to chop meat
El sol pica -> the sun scorches
Picar muy alto -> to aim too high
Le pican los celos -> he is feeling pangs of jealousy
Picar en -> to peck at
Yo no pico en esas cosas -> I don't dabble in such things
Ha picado mucha gente -> lots of people have fallen for it
Me pican los ojos -> my eyes hurt
El que se pica -> ajos come, if the cap fits, wear it
Le pica la conciencia -> his conscience pricks him

Verb Conjugation for "picar"

Infinitive: picar

Gerund: picando

Participle: picado

	Presente	Pretérito	Imperfect	Futuro	Subjuntivo
Yo	pico	piqué	picaba	picaré	pique
Tú	picas	picaste	picabas	picarás	piques
Ella/Él/Usted	pica	picó	picaba	picará	pique
Nosotros	picamos	picamos	picábamos	picaremos	piquemos
Vosotros	picáis	picasteis	picabais	picaréis	piquéis
Ellos/Ustedes	pican	picaron	picaban	picarán	piquen