gatear

to crawl

to claw

gatear(gah-teh-ahr)

intransitive verb

1. (to creep)

a. to crawl

El bebé está gateando debajo de la mesa.

The baby is crawling under the table.

2. (to go up)

a. to climb

Juani gateó por el árbol y tomó la pelota.

Juani climbed the tree and fetched the ball.

b. to clamber

No puedes gatear por ese árbol. Las ramas son débiles y se quebrarán.

You can't clamber up that tree. The branches are weak and will break.

3. (to look for a romantic partner)

(Latin America)

a. to be on the prowl

En el club, Juan nos dijo que rompió con su novia y que va a gatear esta noche.

At the club, Juan told us that he'd broken up with his girlfriend, so he's on the prowl tonight.

transitive verb

4. (to rub with nails)

a. to claw

El gato me gateó cuando lo estaba acariciando.

The cat clawed me when I was petting him.

b. to scratch

¿Cómo te hiciste esas marcas en el brazo? - Mi mascota me gateó.

How did you get those marks on your arm? - My pet scratched me.

5.

(vulgar)

(to seduce)

(Latin America)

a. to try to pick up

Te vi tratando de gatear a Dana. ¿La llevaste a tu casa? - No, ni siquiera me dio un beso.

I saw you trying to pick up Dana. Did you take her home? - No. She didn't even give me a kiss.

gatear

intransitive verb

1. (general)

a. to crawl

Copyright © 2006 Harrap Publishers Limited

gatear

intransitive verb

1 (andar a gatas) to crawl; (trepar) to climb; clamber;por up;

2 (Latinoamérica) to be on the prowl

transitive verb

1 (arañar) to scratch; claw

2 (hurtar) to pinch (familiar); steal

3 (Centroamérica) (México) (ligar) to try to pick up (familiar); (seducir) to seduce