el pesar
weigh
Es sentir tristeza o dolor por algo que ha pasado.
Definition & meaning
The word pesar has two primary roles in the Spanish language:
- As a verb: It means to weigh something (to measure its mass) or to carry weight (figuratively or physically). It can also mean to be important or influential in a decision-making process.
- As a noun: It refers to sorrow, grief, or regret. It describes a feeling of sadness caused by a loss or a mistake.
Grammar & Word origin
Grammatically, pesar can function as an infinitive verb (first conjugation, -ar) or as a masculine noun (el pesar).
- Etymology: It derives from the Latin word pensare, which is the frequentative form of pendere (to hang, to weigh). The evolution from the physical act of weighing to the figurative "weight" of sadness is a common linguistic development where emotional burdens are conceptualized as physical ones.
Synonyms & antonyms
As a verb (to weigh):
As a noun (sorrow/regret):
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Examples
El frutero decidió pesar las manzanas antes de venderlas.verb
The fruit seller decided to weigh the apples before selling them.
Es difícil pesar una vaca grande sin una báscula adecuada.verb
It is difficult to weigh a large cow without an adequate scale.
Debo pesar los tomates en la balanza.verb
I must weigh the tomatoes on the scale.
Pesaré estos tomates.verb
I will weigh these tomatoes.
Quiero pesar estas manzanas antes de comprarlas.verb
I want to weigh these apples before buying them.
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