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"Pegar" is a transitive verb which is often translated as "to hit", and "apostar" is a transitive verb which is often translated as "to bet". Learn more about the difference between "pegar" and "apostar" below.
pegar(
peh
-
gahr
)A transitive verb is a verb that requires a direct object (e.g., I bought a book.).
a. to hit
Le pegó a la pelota de béisbol y marcó un jonrón.He hit the baseball and scored a home run.
2. (to attach)
a. to paste (with glue)
Voy a pegar esto en mi cuaderno para que me inspire.I'm going to paste this in my notebook for inspiration.
b. to glue (with glue)
Pega las dos hojas y luego dóblalas por la mitad.Glue the two sheets together and then fold them in half.
c. to stick
Pega este dibujo al lado del otro con chinches.Stick this drawing next to that one with thumbtacks.
4. (computing)
a. to paste
Copia ese texto y pégalo en este documento.Copy that text and paste it into this document.
a. to give
Mi tía me pegó la gripa y ahora me tengo que quedar en casa.My aunt gave me the flu and now I have to stay home.
7. (to give)
a. no direct translation
This refers to an idiomatic word or phrase for which there is no word-for-word translation.
Está en el hospital después de que le hayan pegado un tiro.He's in the hospital after having been shot.
Cuando vio el ratón, pegó un grito.When she saw the mouse, she screamed.
An intransitive verb is one that does not require a direct object (e.g., The man sneezed.).
pegarse
A reciprocal verb is a verb that indicates that two or more subjects perform an action on each other (e.g., Ellos se abrazan.).
a. to hit each other
Mis dos hermanos siempre se pegan cuando vamos al supermercado.My two brothers always hit each other when we go to the supermarket.
A reflexive verb is a verb that indicates that the subject performs an action on itself (e.g., Miguel se lava.).
a. to hit oneself
El niñito se pegó con su mochila y empezó a llorar.The little boy hit himself with his backpack and began to cry.
b. to bump into
Me pegué con la silla al salir de la cocina.I bumped into the chair as I was leaving the kitchen.
A pronominal verb always uses a reflexive pronoun. (e.g., Te ves cansado.).
11. (to cling)
a. to stick
Los frijoles se pegaron a la olla y no los puedo quitar.The beans stuck to the pan and I can't scrape them off.
12. (to catch)
a. to pick up
Siempre se me pega el acento cubano de mi abuelo cuando lo visito.I always pick up my grandfather's Cuban accent when I visit him.
apostar(
ah
-
pohs
-
tahr
)A transitive verb is a verb that requires a direct object (e.g., I bought a book.).
1. (to gamble)
a. to bet
Te apuesto que no lloverá el día de tu boda; no te preocupes.I bet you that it won't rain on your wedding day; don't worry.
Te apuesto $15 a que no eres capaz de encestar la pelota diez veces seguidas.I'll bet you $15 that you can't sink the ball ten times in a row.
2. (to station)
a. to station
Había militares apostados en las casetas de control para controlar los coches que entraban y salían del país.There were soldiers stationed at the checkpoints to check the cars coming in and out of the country.
b. to post
Los mafiosos abrieron fuego contra los policías apostados fuera del juzgado.The gangsters opened fire on the police who were posted outside the courthouse.
c. to position
El capitán apostó a sus soldados en la trinchera para no arriesgar sus vidas.The captain positioned his soldiers in the trench so as not to put their lives at risk.
An intransitive verb is one that does not require a direct object (e.g., The man sneezed.).
a. to bet
Mi padre apostó a que el precio del petróleo subiría dentro de un año.My father bet that oil prices would rise within a year.
a. to opt for
La actriz apostó por un vestido color naranja muy elegante.The actress opted for a very elegant orange dress.
b. to go for
Quieren salvar su matrimonio y por eso han decidido apostar por la mediación.They want to save their marriage so they've decided to go for mediation.
apostarse
A pronominal verb always uses a reflexive pronoun. (e.g., Te ves cansado.).
5. (to gamble)
a. to bet
Me apuesto una pizza a que no eres capaz de lavar los platos dos semanas sin quejarte.I'll bet a pizza that you won't be able to wash the dishes for two weeks without complaining.
a. to position oneself
El soldado se apostó detrás de un árbol para evitar los disparos.The soldier positioned himself behind a tree to avoid the bullets.
