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"Acechar" is a transitive verb which is often translated as "to stalk", and "acosar" is a transitive verb which is often translated as "to harass". Learn more about the difference between "acechar" and "acosar" below.
acechar(
ah
-
seh
-
chahr
)A transitive verb is a verb that requires a direct object (e.g., I bought a book.).
b. to watch
El ladrón acechó a la mujer por varias noches antes de entrar a robar.The thief watched the woman for several nights before breaking into her house.
c. to spy on
El detective acechó al hombre en cada uno de sus movimientos para comprobar si decía la verdad.The detective spied on the man's every move to check if he had told the truth.
a. to lie in wait for
No estábamos preparados para hacer frente a los peligros que nos acechaban.We were not ready to confront the dangers that lay in wait for us.
acosar(
ah
-
koh
-
sahr
)A transitive verb is a verb that requires a direct object (e.g., I bought a book.).
1. (to hassle)
a. to harass
Mi amiga Cecilia demandó a su jefe por acosarla de forma persistente.My friend Cecilia sued her boss for constantly harassing her.
b. to pester
No quiero acosarte o ser un fastidio, pero te seguiré llamando hasta que me des una respuesta.I don't want to pester you or become a nuisance, but I will keep calling you until you give me an answer.
c. to hound
La actriz estaba cansada de tener a los paparazzi acosándola a toda hora.The actress was tired of being hounded by the paparazzi all the time.
a. to hound
Los cazadores acosaron al oso hasta que el animal, cansado y asustado, buscó refugio en un árbol.The hunters hounded the bear until the animal, exhausted and frightened, sought refuge in a tree.
b. to pursue relentlessly
El dictador acosó a sus oponentes hasta que se vieron obligados a salir al exilio.The dictator pursued his opponents relentlessly until they were forced to go into exile.
