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"Pitar" is a transitive verb which is often translated as "to hiss at", and "pitido" is a noun which is often translated as "whistle". Learn more about the difference between "pitar" and "pitido" below.
pitar(
pee
-
tahr
)A transitive verb is a verb that requires a direct object (e.g., I bought a book.).
1. (to boo)
a. to hiss at
Los trabajadores empezaron a pitar la gerencia cuando les informó sobre otro recorte salarial.The workers started hissing at management when they informed them about another pay cut.
b. to catcall
Los fans pitaron al equipo cuando concedieron otro gol en el primer tiempo.The fans catcalled the team when they conceded another goal in the first half.
a. to referee
Mark Taylor fue el seleccionado para pitar la final.Mark Taylor was chosen to referee the final game.
3. (to rule)
a. to call (United States)
Regionalism used in the United States
¿Cuántas faltas ha pitado hoy este árbitro?How many fouls has this referee called today?
b. to call for (United States)
Regionalism used in the United States
Cuando se pitó penalti por el ataque, la afición empezó a lanzarle insultos al árbitro.When the offense was called for a penalty, the fans started shouting insults at the referee.
c. to blow the whistle for
El árbitro pitó falta y suspendió al jugador.The referee blew the whistle for a foul and sent the player off.
d. to blow for (United Kingdom)
Regionalism used in the United Kingdom
El árbitro pitó un penalti a favor del equipo italiano.The referee blew for a penalty in favour of the Italian team.
4. (colloquial) (to consume tobacco) (South America)
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
Regionalism used in South America: Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Paraguay, Peru, Uruguay, and Venezuela
a. to smoke
Algunos de mis colegas pitan dos o tres cigarros durante el descanso.Some of my coworkers smoke two or three cigarettes during the break.
5. (automobile)
a. to honk at
El conductor de detrás me está pitando porque estoy manejando muy despacio.The driver behind me is honking at me because I'm driving too slowly.
An intransitive verb is one that does not require a direct object (e.g., The man sneezed.).
a. to blow a whistle
El policía pitó cuando me pasé el alto.The police officer blew a whistle when I jumped the stop sign.
8. (automobile)
a. to blow one's horn
No me gusta que piten cuando llegan por mí.I don't like people blowing their horns when they come to pick me up.
9. (to operate)
10. (colloquial) (to consume tobacco) (South America)
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
Regionalism used in South America: Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Paraguay, Peru, Uruguay, and Venezuela
el pitido(
pee
-
tee
-
doh
)A masculine noun is used with masculine articles and adjectives (e.g., el hombre guapo, el sol amarillo).
a. whistle
El pitido del árbitro indicó el fin del partido.The referee's whistle indicated the end of the match.
