What does "apurar" mean here?

Question

I am reading a text, and there is this sentence:

"Semiólogos, comunicólogos, filósofos, ( y, si me apuran ustedes, hasta los teólogos), todos están de acuerdo en una cosa: la realidad actual se vive mediáticamente."

I can't get the meaning of apurar here...

Thanks..

Answer 1

I´d like to add that is not an unusual phrase. It´s common expression meaning that one may do or say something without too much thinking or proof, or include examples that are not at the same lavel than the previous ones.

In Cule´s example, to include theologians among those who declare that reality is perceived through the media today.

Another example Y, no estoy muy seguro, pero si me apuras te digo que la capital de Canadá es Toronto.

theologian . - BellaMargarita, Oct 23, 2010

thanks Magui ;-) - mediterrunio, Oct 24, 2010

Answer 2

"...and if you press me...". - a somewhat unusual application of the word.

And why would he use such a thing there? ¿Qué te parece? - culé, Oct 23, 2010

Looks like explanations have been furnished alredy. To me, it is mostly a somewhat old-fashioned, and a cultured person's expression. - Gekkosan, Oct 23, 2010

Well, I am not sure but it looks like a text from "El País" of the year 2000 or 2001.. I said I'm not sure because my course book "La gente" B2 usually takes texts form El País.. But this time there is no source name.. - culé, Oct 24, 2010

Answer 3

Cule said,

And why would he use such a thing there? ¿Qué te parece?

To press (or push) someone, in such a context (at least in English), means something like "to force to say" or similar. It implies that, for some reason or other, the author would prefer NOT to make such a statement, but he will do so under pressure.

The "pressure" usually takes the form of persistent questioning.

In this case, the author may be being sarcastic (there was no pressure at all, he freely volunteered the information) or he may be indicating that he has doubts as to whether the topic really applies to theologians.

Gekkosan said,

"...and if you press me...". - a somewhat unusual application of the word.

Perhaps it is unusual to use apurar like this, but using press/push like this in English is quite common (not that you had implied otherwise).

Absolutely! and this is the meaning of "agobiar" .."If you insist"...No one is insisting, of course, but the author is admitting that he left one of the possible members of his list out - and perhaps also on purpose. So there is much hinted at here. - Janice, Oct 23, 2010

Yes, I meant It is unusual to use "apurar" like that. - Gekkosan, Oct 23, 2010

Answer 4

I found your question interesting because I, too, struggled a bit when I came up against this word in the book I am reading, La sombra del viento.

After looking in a few places and thinking about it, I turned to my desktop Harper Collins to find that the common, thus first meaning of "apurar" is "agotar" as used for "bebida" -- to drink up; with "comida" -- to eat up.

But have a look at this second translation...a different meaning entirely:

2) (= agobiar) to put pressure on,

Pressurize deja que haga lo que pueda sin apurarlo. = Let him do what he can without putting him under pressure.

No dejes que el trabajo te apure. = Don't let your work get on top of you.

And look especially at this third example:

Si se me apura, yo diría que es la mejor playa de España.

© HarperCollins 2009

Which means the "If pushed, I would say that it is the best beach in Spain."

I think that this corresponds to the meaning in your quoted text, don't you?

Thanks a lot , it really helped me understand!!! :) - culé, Oct 23, 2010