topar

to run into

topar(toh-pahr)

intransitive verb

1. (to reach)

a. to run into

Si giras a la derecha en la siguiente calle, vas a topar con el cine.

If you turn right on the next street you will run into the theater.

b. to come to

Sigue por esta calle hasta topar con pared.

Follow this street until you come to a wall.

2. (to consist)

a. to lie

El problema topa en el incumplimiento de la ley.

The problem lies in the failure to comply with the law.

transitive verb

3. (to meet someone by chance)

a. to bump into

Topé a la maestra de inglés en la playa.

I bumped into the English teacher at the beach.

b. to run into

Topamos a unas personas del lugar y les preguntamos por un buen restaurante.

We ran into some local people and asked them to recommend a good restaurant.

4. (to strike with the head)

a. to butt

La cabra topó los cuernos contra una cerca.

The goat butted its horns against a fence.

5. (to take a bet)

(Latin America)

a. to accept

Mario topó la apuesta de su contrincante.

Mario accepted his opponent's bet.

toparse

pronominal verb

6. (to meet someone by chance; often used with "con")

a. to run into

Me topé con Rachel en la plaza.

I ran into Rachel at the plaza.

b. to bump into

Espero toparme con algún famoso en Nueva York.

I hope I'll bump into someone famous in New York.

7. (to encounter something; often used with "con")

a. to come across

Cuando regresamos al país nos topamos con problemas económicos.

We came across economic problems when we came back to the country.

b. to come up against

Nada más empezar nos topamos con la primera dificultad.

As soon as we started we came up against the first problem.

reciprocal verb

8. (to meet each other by chance)

a. to run into each other

A menudo nos topamos afuera de la escuela.

We often run into each other outside of school.

b. to bump into each other

María y yo nos topamos en el ascensor.

María and I bumped into each other in the elevator.