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"Clutch" is a noun which is often translated as "el embrague", and "grasp" is a transitive verb which is often translated as "agarrar". Learn more about the difference between "clutch" and "grasp" below.
clutch(
kluhch
)A noun is a word referring to a person, animal, place, thing, feeling, or idea (e.g., man, dog, house).
1. (automotive)
a. el embrague (M)
(m) means that a noun is masculine. Spanish nouns have a gender, which is either feminine (like la mujer or la luna) or masculine (like el hombre or el sol).
You need to use the clutch before shifing gears.Hay que usar el embrague antes de cambiar de velocidad.
b. el cloche (M) (Colombia) (Venezuela)
(m) means that a noun is masculine. Spanish nouns have a gender, which is either feminine (like la mujer or la luna) or masculine (like el hombre or el sol).
Regionalism used in Colombia
Regionalism used in Venezuela
Albert forgot to use the clutch when braking and the car stalled.A Albert se le olvidó meter el cloche al frenar y se le ahogó el motor al carro.
c. el clutch (M) (Central America) (Mexico)
(m) means that a noun is masculine. Spanish nouns have a gender, which is either feminine (like la mujer or la luna) or masculine (like el hombre or el sol).
Regionalism used in Central America: Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, and Panama
Regionalism used in Mexico
I'm having trouble shifting. I think the clutch has gone bad.Me cuesta trabajo cambiar de velocidad. Creo que se me fregó el clutch.
d. el pedal de embrague (M)
(m) means that a noun is masculine. Spanish nouns have a gender, which is either feminine (like la mujer or la luna) or masculine (like el hombre or el sol).
I want to get an automatic so I don't have to deal with the clutch.Quiero comprar un carro automático para no tener que preocuparme por el pedal de embrague.
a. la crisis (F)
(f) means that a noun is feminine. Spanish nouns have a gender, which is either feminine (like la mujer or la luna) or masculine (like el hombre or el sol).
Things are looking bad, but don't worry. Jim always comes through in the clutch for us.Las cosas pintan mal, pero no te preocupes. Jim siempre nos saca de la crisis.
4. (purse)
a. la cartera sobre (F)
(f) means that a noun is feminine. Spanish nouns have a gender, which is either feminine (like la mujer or la luna) or masculine (like el hombre or el sol).
That purse is too big; you need to carry a small clutch to go with with your evening gown.Esa cartera es muy grande; necesitas usar una cartera sobre con tu vestido de gala.
b. el bolso de mano (M)
(m) means that a noun is masculine. Spanish nouns have a gender, which is either feminine (like la mujer or la luna) or masculine (like el hombre or el sol).
I can't even fit my cell phone in this clutch.No me cabe ni el celular en este bolso de mano.
5. (grasp)
a. no direct translation
This refers to an idiomatic word or phrase for which there is no word-for-word translation.
Mary felt she'd narrowly escaped the clutches of Death.Mary sintió que por muy poco se había salvado de las garras de la muerte.
Sam made a clutch at the vase, but couldn't catch it before it fell out the window.Sam intentó agarrar el florero, pero no logró atraparlo antes de que se cayera por la ventana.
A transitive verb is a verb that requires a direct object (e.g., I bought a book.).
An intransitive verb is one that does not require a direct object (e.g., The man sneezed.).
a. tratar de agarrarse de
As my cat fell from the tree, he clutched at my skin.Mi gato se cayó del árbol y trató de agarrarse de mi piel.
b. aferrarse a
Chris clutched at his mother's skirt as they walked through the grocery store.Chris se aferró a la falda de su mamá mientras caminaban por el supermercado.
clutches
A plural noun indicates that there is more than one person, place, thing, or idea.
8. (power)
a. las garras (F)
(f) means that a noun is feminine. Spanish nouns have a gender, which is either feminine (like la mujer or la luna) or masculine (like el hombre or el sol).
His neighbor lured him into the clutches of the mafia.Su vecino le hizo caer en las garras de la mafia.
grasp(
grahsp
)A transitive verb is a verb that requires a direct object (e.g., I bought a book.).
1. (to seize)
a. aprovechar
The secretary grasped the opportunity of the interruption to leave the room.La secretaria aprovechó la oportunidad de la interrupción para salir de la habitación.
a. sujetar
Her aunt was grasping the book as if it would fly away.Su tía sujetaba el libro como si fuera a escaparse volando.
a. captar
The new receptionist quickly grasped what was expected of her.La nueva recepcionista captó rápidamente qué se esperaba de ella.
b. comprender
The government was slow to grasp the significance of these events.El gobierno tardó en comprender la importancia de estos eventos.
A noun is a word referring to a person, animal, place, thing, feeling, or idea (e.g., man, dog, house).
5. (hold)
a. el apretón (M)
(m) means that a noun is masculine. Spanish nouns have a gender, which is either feminine (like la mujer or la luna) or masculine (like el hombre or el sol).
She felt a firm grasp on her arm.Sintió un firme apretón en el brazo.
6. (figurative) (reach)
A phrase used as a figure of speech or a word that is symbolic in meaning; metaphorical (e.g., carrot, bean).
a. el alcance (M)
(m) means that a noun is masculine. Spanish nouns have a gender, which is either feminine (like la mujer or la luna) or masculine (like el hombre or el sol).
If we can overcome our prejudices, a solution is within our grasp.Si podemos superar nuestros prejuicios, tenemos una solución a nuestro alcance.
a. la comprensión (F)
(f) means that a noun is feminine. Spanish nouns have a gender, which is either feminine (like la mujer or la luna) or masculine (like el hombre or el sol).
Given his age, your young son's grasp of these complicated concepts is impressive.Dada su edad, la comprensión que tiene su hijito de estos conceptos complejos es digna de admiración.
b. el entendimiento (M)
(m) means that a noun is masculine. Spanish nouns have a gender, which is either feminine (like la mujer or la luna) or masculine (like el hombre or el sol).
Incredibly enough, my mother has a stronger grasp of computers than I do.Increíblemente, mi madre tiene mejor entendimiento de las computadoras que yo.
8. (figurative) (power)
A phrase used as a figure of speech or a word that is symbolic in meaning; metaphorical (e.g., carrot, bean).
a. las garras (F)
(f) means that a noun is feminine. Spanish nouns have a gender, which is either feminine (like la mujer or la luna) or masculine (like el hombre or el sol).
I wanted to get the child out of that woman's grasp.Quería librar al niño de las garras de esa mujer.
