"colgarle" -- How is this used?

Question

I found an example that is phrased, "colgarle a alguien la etiqueta de ... to label somebody as ...." I understand the usage and conjugations of verbs such as gustarle, importarle, etc.; however, I am at a loss on colgarle in this context. Can someone give me a conjugation and example?

Thanks.

This is a great question for a first post to the Forum! Since this is a learning site, I took the liberty of editing it a little for format, spelling, and punctuation. - hhmdirocco, Mar 18, 2011

Answer 1

Welcome to the Forum, David!

"Colgarle a alguien la etiqueta de ..." is literally, to hang the label of _______ on someone."

Ese artículo periodístico me cuelga la etiqueta de conservador.
That newspaper article labels me (as) a conservative.

Ese artículo periodístico nos colgó la etiqueta de conservador.
That newspaper article labeled us (as) conservatives.
Note that "la etiqueta de ..." can be followed by a singular noun even if it is being applied to multiple persons, since "the label of conservative," for example, is one label that can be applied to many people.

¡No le cuelgues la etiqueta de racista!
Don't label him a racist!

Si compras ese coche, seguramente te van a colgar la etiqueta de despilfarrador.
If you buy that car, they will surely (they are surely going to) label you a spendthrift.

(Yo) no intentaba colgarles la etiqueta de aristócrata, pero así tomó la gente mis palabras.
I was not trying to label you as artistocrats, but that's how the people took my words.

Cuélguenme la etiqueta de compasivo.
Label me compassionate. (directed to an audience of more than one)

Le colgaba a Lupita la etiqueta de heroína.
He/She/It was labeling Lupita a heroine.

Thanks for the welcome and comprehensive explantation H! - david-silvon, Mar 18, 2011