sofocar
transitive verb
1 (ahogar) [+calor] to stifle; [+fuego, humo] to suffocate
este tiempo tan húmedo me sofoca I find this humid weather stifling
sofocar
transitive verb1. (to choke)
a. to suffocate
El humo del fuego sofocó al bombero.The smoke from the fire suffocated the firefighter.
b. to stifle
El viento abrasador de la ciudad en verano sofoca a los peatones.The hot city wind stifles pedestrians in the summer.
2. (to extinguish)
a. to put out
Juan consiguió sofocar las llamas con una manta.Juan was able to put out the flames with a blanket.
b. to smother
Sofocar el incendio resultó imposible por culpa del viento.Smothering the fire was impossible because of the wind.
3. (to quiet down)
4. (to embarrass)
a. to mortify
La directora sofocó a la bailarina al decirle que tenía que adelgazar.The director mortified the dancer when she told her to lose weight.
5. (to irk)
a. to annoy
El llanto del bebé sofocaba a los compañeros pasajeros en el avión.The baby's cry annoyed fellow passengers on the plane.
sofocarse
pronominal verb6. (to choke)
a. to suffocate
El calor que hace en Madrid en verano me sofoca.The hot weather in Madrid in the summer suffocates me.
Es normal sofocarse después de correr 10 kilómetros.It's normal to get out of breath after running 10 kilometers.
7. (colloquial) (to be overwhelmed)
a. to get upset
Deberías relajarte y no sofocarte por tonterías.You should relax and not get upset over nothing.
María se sofoca cada vez que tiene exámenes.Maria gets worked up every time she has exams.
8. (colloquial) (to be ashamed)
El alumno se sofocó cuando el profesor lo reprendió delante de todos.The student got embarrassed when the teacher told him off in front of everyone.
Siempre me sofoco cuando tengo que ponerme en bikini.I always become embarrassed when I have to put my bikini on.
9. (to get mad)
a. to get angry
Si no contesto a los mensajes, mi novia se sofoca.If I don't answer her messages, my girlfriend gets angry.
b. to get upset
Me sofoqué porque fui la última en enterarme de la noticia.I got upset because I was the last one to hear the news.
sofocar
transitive verb1. (ahogar)
a. to suffocate, to stifle
2. (incendio)
a. to put out, to smother
3. (rebelión)
a. to suppress, to quell
4. (avergonzar)
pronominal verba. to mortify
5. (ahogarse)
a. to suffocate
6. (avergonzarse)
a. to go red as a
b. beetroot o (United Kingdom)
c. beet (United States)
7. (irritarse)
a. to get hot under the collar
Examples
Verb Conjugations for sofocar
Irregularities are in red
| Present | Preterite | Imperfect | Conditional | Future | |
| yo | |||||
| tú | |||||
| él/ella/Ud. | |||||
| nosotros | |||||
| vosotros | |||||
| ellos/ellas/Uds. |
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