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"Percatar" is an intransitive verb which is often translated as "to notice", and "percatarse" is a pronominal verb which is also often translated as "to notice". Learn more about the difference between "percatar" and "percatarse" below.
percatar(
pehr
-
kah
-
tahr
)An intransitive verb is one that does not require a direct object (e.g., The man sneezed.).
1. (old-fashioned) (to grasp)
A word or phrase that is seldom used in contemporary language and is recognized as being from another decade, (e.g., cat, groovy).
a. to notice
El ladrón aceleró el carro al percatar que la policía lo seguía.The thief sped up the car when he noticed that the police were in pursuit.
b. to realize (United States)
Regionalism used in the United States
Me enfurecí al percatar que todo era solo un engaño.I got angry when I realized everything was a hoax.
c. to realise (United Kingdom)
Regionalism used in the United Kingdom
Oímos un ruido y nos escondidos en el bosque hasta percatar que sólo era el viento.We heard a noise and hid in the woods until we realised that it was just the wind.
percatarse
A pronominal verb always uses a reflexive pronoun. (e.g., Te ves cansado.).
a. to notice
No me había percatado de que te habías teñido el pelo de otro color.I hadn't noticed you had changed your hair color.
b. to realize (United States)
Regionalism used in the United States
Pilar pidió disculpas en cuanto se percató del error que había cometido.Pilar apologized as soon as she realized she had made a mistake.
c. to realise (United Kingdom)
Regionalism used in the United Kingdom
Estaba buscando mis gafas hasta que me percaté de que estaban en mi cabeza.I was looking for my glasses until I realised that they were on my head.
percatarse(
pehr
-
kah
-
tahr
-
seh
)A pronominal verb always uses a reflexive pronoun. (e.g., Te ves cansado.).
a. to notice
No me había percatado de que te habías teñido el pelo de otro color.I hadn't noticed you had changed your hair color.
b. to realize (United States)
Regionalism used in the United States
Pilar pidió disculpas en cuanto se percató del error que había cometido.Pilar apologized as soon as she realized she had made a mistake.
c. to realise (United Kingdom)
Regionalism used in the United Kingdom
Estaba buscando mis gafas hasta que me percaté de que estaban en mi cabeza.I was looking for my glasses until I realised that they were on my head.
percatar
An intransitive verb is one that does not require a direct object (e.g., The man sneezed.).
2. (old-fashioned) (to grasp)
A word or phrase that is seldom used in contemporary language and is recognized as being from another decade, (e.g., cat, groovy).
a. to notice
El ladrón aceleró el carro al percatar que la policía lo seguía.The thief sped up the car when he noticed that the police were in pursuit.
b. to realize (United States)
Regionalism used in the United States
Me enfurecí al percatar que todo era solo un engaño.I got angry when I realized everything was a hoax.
c. to realise (United Kingdom)
Regionalism used in the United Kingdom
Oímos un ruido y nos escondidos en el bosque hasta percatar que sólo era el viento.We heard a noise and hid in the woods until we realised that it was just the wind.
