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"Presionar" is a transitive verb which is often translated as "to put pressure on", and "apretar" is a transitive verb which is often translated as "to press". Learn more about the difference between "presionar" and "apretar" below.
presionar(
preh
-
syoh
-
nahr
)A transitive verb is a verb that requires a direct object (e.g., I bought a book.).
1. (to compel)
a. to put pressure on
Tenemos que presionar a las autoridades para que provean más seguridad.We need to put pressure on the authorities to provide more security.
b. to pressure (United States)
Regionalism used in the United States
La guerrilla presiona a los campesinos para que salgan de sus tierras.The guerrillas are pressuring farmers to leave their lands.
c. to pressurize (United Kingdom)
Regionalism used in the United Kingdom
La junta directiva presionó al presidente de la corporación para que renunciara.The Board of Directors pressurized the corporation's CEO to resign.
An intransitive verb is one that does not require a direct object (e.g., The man sneezed.).
apretar(
ah
-
preh
-
tahr
)A transitive verb is a verb that requires a direct object (e.g., I bought a book.).
c. to squeeze
Para disparar la pistola, tienes que quitar el seguro y apretar el gatillo.To shoot the gun, you have to release the lock and squeeze the trigger.
a. to squeeze
Aprieta el limón para sacarle todo el zumo.Squeeze the lemon to get all the juice out.
b. to clutch
Mi madre me apretó tan fuerte que no podía respirar.My mother clutched me so tight that I couldn't breathe.
f. to grip
¡Suelta! Me estás haciendo daño apretándome el brazo así.Let go! You're hurting me gripping my arm like that.
3. (to adjust)
a. to tighten
Usa una llave inglesa para apretar las cuatro tuercas.Use a wrench to tighten all four nuts.
4. (to hurry)
a. to put pressure on
En la actualidad, el colegio no aprieta mucho a los alumnos.Nowadays, schools don't put too much pressure on students.
b. to push
Deja de apretarme. Nunca aceptaré la oferta.Stop pushing me. I will never accept the offer.
a. to bunch up
No queda mucho sitio en la hoja, así que tendré que apretar las palabras al escribir.There is not much space left on the sheet, so I will have to bunch up the words when writing.
An intransitive verb is one that does not require a direct object (e.g., The man sneezed.).
a. to get worse
Cuando la lluvia apretó, empecé a correr a casa.When the rain got worse, I started to run home.
b. to intensify
El cansancio apretaba, pero no podía irme a dormir hasta que acabara los deberes.The fatigue intensified, but I couldn't go to sleep until I finished my homework.
8. (to crush)
a. to put on the pressure
Esta crisis está apretando a las familias más pobres.This crisis is putting the pressure on the poorest families.
a. no direct translation
This refers to an idiomatic word or phrase for which there is no word-for-word translation.
La tormenta se está acercando; mejor apretemos.The storm is coming; we'd better run.
Cuando la alarma de incendios empezó a sonar, todos apretaron hacia la salida.When the fire alarm began to sound, everybody made a dash for the exit.
apretarse
A pronominal verb always uses a reflexive pronoun. (e.g., Te ves cansado.).
a. to squeeze up
Pueden comer todos a la vez si no les importa apretarse en el comedor.You can all eat together if you don't mind squeezing up in the dining room.
b. to squish together
Si se aprietan, habrá sitio para uno más.If you squish together, there will be room for one more.
