atrapar
verb
1. to catch, to capture
capturing or catching
Common combinations
- atrapar a un ladrón — to catch a thief
- atrapar un animal — to catch an animal
- atrapar una pelota — to catch a ball
- La policía atrapó al ladrón.The police caught the thief.
- El gato atrapó un ratón.The cat caught a mouse.
- Atrapa la pelota antes de que caiga.Catch the ball before it falls.
2. to trap, to get stuck
being unable to get out
Common combinations
- quedar atrapado — to get trapped
- atrapado en el barro — stuck in the mud
- atrapado por la nieve — trapped by the snow
- El coche quedó atrapado en el barro.The car got stuck in the mud.
- La puerta atrapó su abrigo.The door caught his coat.
- Los excursionistas quedaron atrapados por la nieve.The hikers were trapped by the snow.
3. to captivate, to engross
holding someone's interest
Common combinations
- atrapar la atención — to capture someone's attention
- atrapar al público — to captivate the audience
- La novela me atrapó desde el principio.The novel captivated me from the start.
- La música atrapa al público.The music captivates the audience.
- El juego atrapó a los niños durante horas.The game engrossed the children for hours.
Same root
atrapadoatrapamiento
Phrases with this word
atrapar a alguien con las manos en la masa