pellizcar

to pinch

pellizcar(peh-yees-kahr)

transitive verb

1. (to squeeze)

a. to pinch

Meg me pellizcó el brazo.

Meg pinched my arm.

2. (to eat a small amount of)

a. to pick at

Elena se limitó a pellizcar su comida porque no tenía mucha hambre.

Elena just picked at her food because she wasn't very hungry.

b. to nibble at

Me moría de hambre y estuve pellizcando el pan hasta que nos sirvieron el plato principal.

I was starving and nibbled at the bread until we were served the main course.

pellizcarse

pronominal verb

3. (to give one's skin a squeeze)

a. to pinch oneself

Me pellizqué para asegurarme de que no soñaba.

I pinched myself to make sure that I wasn't dreaming.