vs
QUICK ANSWER
"Capto" is a form of "captar", a transitive verb which is often translated as "to capture". "Pillo" is a form of "pillo", an adjective which is often translated as "naughty". Learn more about the difference between "capto" and "pillo" below.
captar(
kahp
-
tahr
)A transitive verb is a verb that requires a direct object (e.g., I bought a book.).
1. (to obtain)
a. to capture
El músico callejero era virtuoso y captó mi atención.The virtuoso street musician captured my attention.
b. to gain
Ofrecemos grandes descuentos con la intención de captar más clientes.We offer great discounts in an attempt to gain more clients.
c. to win
El candidato demócrata captó más votos con su campaña anticorrupción.The Democratic candidate won more votes with his anti-corruption campaign.
d. to attract
La empresa tiene que captar más inversores.The company needs to attract more investors.
2. (to feel)
a. to perceive
El perro captó algún peligro y se puso a ladrar.My dog perceived danger and started barking.
a. to get
No capto el significado de esta frase. ¿Me la explicas?I don't get the meaning of this sentence. Can you explain it to me?
c. to understand
Lucía no logró captar la gravedad de la acusación.Lucia failed to understand the seriousness of the accusation.
d. to catch (colloquial)
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
Yo intentaba seducir a Nicolás, pero él no captaba la insinuación.I was trying to seduce Nicolas, but he didn't catch the insinuation.
4. (to tune to)
a. to pick up
Estaba en el campo y mi celular no captaba señal.I was in the countryside and my cellphone couldn't pick up a signal.
b. to receive
El dispositivo está captando una señal débil proveniente del satélite.The device is receiving a faint signal from the satellite.
5. (to take in)
a. to collect
El río capta el agua de la montaña cuando se derrite la nieve.The river collects water from the mountain when the snow melts.
pillo, el pillo, la pilla(
pee
-
yoh
)An adjective is a word that describes a noun (e.g., the big dog).
1. (colloquial) (mischievous)
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
2. (colloquial) (sly)
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
This means that the noun can be masculine or feminine, depending on the gender of the noun it refers to (e.g., el doctor, la doctora).
3. (colloquial) (scamp)
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
4. (colloquial) (scoundrel)
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
a. scumbag
Ese pillo viejo ya timó a muchos.A lot of people have already been cheated by that old scumbag.
5. (pejorative) (robber) (Andes) (Central America) (Mexico)
An offensive word or phrase used to degrade a person or group of people based on race, gender, sexual preference, etc. (e.g., redneck).
Regionalism used in Central America: Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, and Panama
Regionalism used in Mexico
