agitar in 30 Seconds
- To shake or stir something vigorously.
- Can also mean to disturb or excite someone.
- Used in cooking, for physical actions, and for emotional states.
- Regular -ar verb, easy to conjugate.
- Pay attention to context for literal vs. figurative meaning.
- Literal Meaning
- To move something back and forth or up and down rapidly; to shake.
- Figurative Meaning
- To disturb or excite someone or something; to cause unrest or commotion.
- Common Scenarios
- You might agitar a bottle of medicine to mix it, agitar a flag to make it wave, or agitar a crowd to incite them. It can also describe the physical sensation of being shaken, like during an earthquake, or the emotional state of being agitated or worried.
Please agitar the salad dressing before serving.
The strong winds began to agitar the trees.
- In the Kitchen
- Commonly used when preparing drinks or sauces that need mixing. For example, agitar a cocktail shaker or agitar ingredients in a bowl.
- In Nature
- Describes the movement of objects due to forces like wind or water, such as agitar las olas (to agitate the waves) or agitar las hojas (to agitate the leaves).
- Social and Emotional Contexts
- Can refer to causing unrest, exciting a crowd, or making someone anxious or upset. For instance, agitar una protesta (to agitate a protest) or agitar a alguien (to agitate someone).
- Basic Sentence Structure
- The verb agitar is typically followed by its direct object, the thing being shaken or stirred. For example, 'Yo agito el café' (I stir the coffee). It can also be used reflexively with 'se' to describe something that is being shaken or agitated on its own, or to describe a person becoming agitated.
- Verb Conjugation
- As a regular -ar verb, agitar follows the standard conjugation patterns. In the present tense, for example: yo agito, tú agitas, él/ella/usted agita, nosotros/nosotras agitamos, vosotros/vosotras agitáis, ellos/ellas/ustedes agitan. Irregularities are minimal, making it relatively straightforward to learn.
- Using 'se agitar'
- The reflexive form 'se agitar' is often used to describe something that is shaking by itself, like a car starting to agitate, or a person becoming agitated or upset. For instance, 'El suelo comenzó a agitarse' (The ground began to shake), or 'Se agitó al escuchar la noticia' (He/She became agitated upon hearing the news).
- Prepositional Phrases
- While agitar often takes a direct object, it can also be used with prepositions like 'con' (with) to describe the manner of shaking, or 'en' (in) when referring to a specific location where something is being agitated. For example, 'Agitaba la botella con fuerza' (He/She shook the bottle with force).
No agites el agua en la botella, solo revuélvela suavemente.
El conductor tuvo que agitar el volante para mantener el control.
La noticia causó que la calma se agitara.
- Everyday Conversations
- You'll hear 'agitar' frequently in casual settings. For example, someone might say, 'Agita la botella de leche antes de usarla' (Shake the milk bottle before using it) or 'No agites el agua, se va a derramar' (Don't shake the water, it's going to spill). It's a common verb for simple physical actions.
- Culinary Contexts
- In kitchens and restaurants, 'agitar' is a staple. Bartenders agitar cocktails, chefs agitar sauces, and home cooks agitar ingredients in pans or bowls. You might hear instructions like 'Agita la sartén para que no se pegue' (Shake the pan so it doesn't stick) or 'Agita la mezcla hasta que esté homogénea' (Stir the mixture until it's homogeneous).
- News and Current Events
- In news reports, 'agitar' can refer to social unrest or political agitation. For example, a headline might read 'Manifestantes intentan agitar a la multitud' (Protesters try to agitate the crowd). It can also describe natural phenomena, like 'El terremoto hizo agitar el edificio' (The earthquake made the building shake).
- Literature and Film
- Authors and filmmakers use 'agitar' to create vivid imagery and convey emotion. A character might agitar a drink nervously, or a scene could describe the sea being agitated by a storm. It adds dynamism and intensity to narratives.
El camarero me preguntó si quería que agitara mi bebida.
La gente se agitó cuando escuchó la música.
- Confusing with 'Revolver'
- While both 'agitar' and 'revolver' can mean to stir, 'agitar' often implies a more vigorous or rapid motion, like shaking. 'Revolver' is generally a gentler stirring action. For example, you might 'agitar' a cocktail shaker but 'revolver' your coffee. Using 'agitar' for a gentle stir might sound too forceful.
- Overusing the Figurative Sense
- While 'agitar' can mean to incite or disturb emotionally, it's not always the best word for a mild disturbance. For instance, saying 'La pequeña discusión agitó la fiesta' might be too strong if it was just a minor disagreement. Words like 'interrumpir' (to interrupt) or 'molestar' (to bother) might be more appropriate in such cases.
- Incorrect Conjugation
- As a regular -ar verb, 'agitar' is generally easy to conjugate. However, learners might occasionally make mistakes with irregular forms if they are not careful, especially in tenses like the subjunctive or past tenses. Always double-check the conjugation for the specific tense and pronoun.
- Using 'Agitarse' Incorrectly
- The reflexive form 'agitarse' means to become agitated or to shake oneself. Learners might mistakenly use it when they simply mean to shake an object. For example, saying 'Me agité' when you meant 'Agité la botella' (I shook the bottle) would imply you became agitated, not that you shook the bottle.
Incorrecto: El gato se agitó en la caja. Correcto: El gato agitó la caja.
Incorrecto: Agité el agua con una cuchara. (Too strong for simple stirring). Correcto: Revolví el agua con una cuchara.
- 'Revolver' vs. 'Agitar'
- Both verbs refer to mixing. 'Revolver' typically implies a gentler, more circular stirring motion, like stirring coffee with a spoon. 'Agitar' suggests a more vigorous movement, either shaking something back and forth or up and down, or causing something to move rapidly. For instance, you would 'revolver' a cup of tea but 'agitar' a bottle of salad dressing.
- 'Batir' vs. 'Agitar'
- 'Batir' means to beat, whip, or whisk. It's a more intensive mixing process, often used for ingredients like eggs or cream to incorporate air. While you might 'agitar' a bottle of milk, you would 'batir' eggs for an omelet. The motion in 'batir' is usually faster and more dynamic.
- 'Mover' vs. 'Agitar'
- 'Mover' is a general term for 'to move'. 'Agitar' is a specific type of movement—shaking or stirring briskly. If you 'mover' a box, it just means to change its position. If you 'agitar' a box, you're shaking it. 'Agitar' is a more descriptive verb for rapid, repeated motion.
- 'Sacudir' vs. 'Agitar'
- 'Sacudir' means to shake, often to remove dust or to dry something. You might 'sacudir' a rug to clean it or 'sacudir' your clothes to dry them. 'Agitar' can also mean to shake, but it often implies mixing or causing a reaction, like shaking a bottle to mix its contents. While there's overlap, 'sacudir' is more about the action of shaking itself, while 'agitar' can imply a purpose behind the shaking.
Agitar una botella de vino vs. Revolver el vino en la copa.
Batir huevos para una tortilla; agitar una botella de salsa.
- Social Etiquette
- In some Spanish-speaking cultures, the way one 'agita' can be perceived. For example, excessively 'agitar' a drink at a bar might be seen as attention-seeking or disruptive. Conversely, a gentle 'agitar' of a serving spoon is standard practice. The context and the social setting are key.
- Expressing Emotion
- The phrase 'agitarse' can be used to describe someone becoming flustered or agitated. In some cultures, outward displays of agitation might be more common or accepted than in others. It can range from mild nervousness to significant distress, and the intensity of the 'agitation' can reflect cultural norms around emotional expression.
- Political and Social Discourse
- The verb 'agitar' can carry a strong connotation when used in political contexts, implying the act of inciting unrest or rebellion. Historical and contemporary events in various Spanish-speaking countries have seen leaders or groups accused of trying to 'agitar' the populace. This usage is often charged and carries significant weight.
- Regional Variations in Food Preparation
- While 'agitar' is universally understood for mixing, specific culinary traditions might favor certain terms. For instance, in some regions, 'batir' might be more common for whisking, while 'agitar' is reserved for shaking bottles or vigorously stirring. Understanding these subtle preferences can enhance communication in specific culinary contexts.
El político fue acusado de agitar a la gente contra el gobierno.
Ella se agitó y empezó a llorar.
- Verb Type
- Agitar is a regular -ar verb. This means its conjugations in most tenses follow predictable patterns, making it relatively easy to learn compared to irregular verbs.
- Transitive Use
- Most commonly, 'agitar' is used transitively, meaning it takes a direct object. The object is the thing being shaken or stirred. Example: 'Agito la botella' (I shake the bottle). The direct object pronoun would replace the noun: 'La agito' (I shake it).
- Reflexive Use ('Agitarse')
- The reflexive form 'agitarse' is used when the subject is performing the action on itself, or when something is shaking on its own. This often implies becoming agitated, nervous, or restless. Example: 'El conductor se agitó por el tráfico' (The driver became agitated by the traffic). It can also describe physical shaking: 'El barco se agitó con las olas' (The boat shook with the waves).
- Imperative Mood
- In the imperative mood, used for commands, 'agitar' follows regular patterns. For example, 'Agita la sopa' (Stir the soup - informal singular), 'Agite la botella' (Shake the bottle - formal singular), 'Agitad las manos' (Shake your hands - informal plural, Spain), 'Agiten las banderas' (Wave the flags - formal plural).
Present Tense Conjugation: Yo agito, tú agitas, él/ella/usted agita, nosotros agitamos, vosotros agitáis, ellos/ellas/ustedes agitan.
Past Tense (Preterite): Agité, agitaste, agitó, agitamos, agitasteis, agitaron.
How Formal Is It?
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Fun Fact
The Latin root 'agere' is related to many English words like 'agent', 'act', 'action', and 'agenda', all related to the concept of doing or moving.
Pronunciation Guide
- Pronouncing the 'g' as a hard 'g' like in 'go'.
- Not stressing the final syllable.
- Confusing the 'i' sound with a long 'ee' sound.
Difficulty Rating
CEFR A2. The verb is common and its literal meanings are straightforward. Figurative uses require more contextual understanding.
CEFR A2. Conjugations are regular, but choosing between literal and figurative meanings, and correct reflexive use, requires practice.
CEFR A2. Pronunciation is relatively simple, but using it naturally in various contexts takes practice.
CEFR A2. Its common usage means it's heard frequently, but distinguishing between literal and figurative meanings requires careful listening.
What to Learn Next
Prerequisites
Learn Next
Advanced
Grammar to Know
Verb Conjugation of Regular -ar Verbs
Present Indicative: Yo agito, tú agitas, él agita, nosotros agitamos, vosotros agitáis, ellos agitan. (All regular -ar verbs follow this pattern.)
Reflexive Verbs
'Agitarse' requires reflexive pronouns: Yo me agito, tú te agitas, él se agita, nosotros nos agitamos, vosotros os agitáis, ellos se agitan. (Used when the subject acts on itself or becomes agitated.)
Imperative Mood for Commands
¡Agita la botella! (Informal singular command) ¡No agites la bolsa! (Negative informal singular command) (Commands follow specific conjugation patterns.)
Direct Object Pronouns
Quiero agitar la pintura. -> La quiero agitar. (The pronoun 'la' replaces 'la pintura'.) (Direct object pronouns replace nouns that receive the action.)
Prepositional Phrases with Verbs
Se agitó *por* el ruido. (He became agitated *because of* the noise.) (Prepositions show the relationship between the verb and other parts of the sentence.)
Examples by Level
Agita la botella.
Shake the bottle.
Imperative, informal singular command.
Por favor, agita la pintura antes de usarla.
Please shake the paint before using it.
Polite imperative.
El niño agitó su juguete con entusiasmo.
The child shook his toy enthusiastically.
Preterite tense, third person singular.
Agita el agua para que se mezcle.
Stir the water so it mixes.
Imperative, informal singular command.
Me gusta agitar la coctelera.
I like to shake the cocktail shaker.
Infinitive after 'gustar'.
No agites el vaso, se derramará.
Don't shake the glass, it will spill.
Negative imperative, informal singular.
El movimiento agitó las ramas del árbol.
The movement shook the tree branches.
Preterite tense, third person singular.
Agita la bolsa para que las palomitas se distribuyan.
Shake the bag so the popcorn distributes.
Imperative, informal singular command.
El perro agitó la cola de felicidad.
The dog wagged its tail happily.
Preterite tense, third person singular. 'Agitar' can be used for wagging.
El chef agitó la sartén para evitar que los ingredientes se pegaran.
The chef shook the pan to prevent the ingredients from sticking.
Preterite tense, third person singular.
La noticia lo agitó profundamente.
The news agitated him deeply.
Preterite tense, third person singular, figurative use.
Ella se agitó al escuchar el ruido repentino.
She became agitated upon hearing the sudden noise.
Reflexive verb 'agitarse', preterite tense, third person singular.
Agita los ingredientes secos antes de añadir los líquidos.
Stir the dry ingredients before adding the liquids.
Imperative, informal singular command.
El viento agitaba las velas del barco.
The wind shook the boat's sails.
Imperfect tense, third person singular.
No agites el pastel recién hecho.
Don't shake the freshly made cake.
Negative imperative, informal singular.
El movimiento sísmico agitó los cimientos del edificio.
The seismic movement shook the building's foundations.
Preterite tense, third person singular.
Agita la botella de medicina según las instrucciones.
Shake the medicine bottle according to the instructions.
Imperative, informal singular command.
Las protestas intentaron agitar a la población para que saliera a las calles.
The protests tried to agitate the population to take to the streets.
Infinitive after 'intentar', figurative use.
Se agitó en su asiento, impaciente por empezar la película.
He shifted in his seat, impatient to start the movie.
Reflexive verb 'agitarse', preterite tense, third person singular.
El orador agitó a la audiencia con sus palabras apasionadas.
The speaker stirred the audience with his passionate words.
Preterite tense, third person singular, figurative use.
Agita la solución con cuidado para disolver completamente el polvo.
Stir the solution carefully to completely dissolve the powder.
Imperative, informal singular command.
La falta de sueño lo agitaba y lo hacía irritable.
Lack of sleep agitated him and made him irritable.
Imperfect tense, third person singular, figurative use.
No agites la bolsa de té en el agua caliente.
Don't shake the tea bag in the hot water.
Negative imperative, informal singular.
El terremoto hizo agitar todos los objetos en la casa.
The earthquake made all the objects in the house shake.
Infinitive after 'hacer', cause and effect.
Agita el cóctel en la coctelera hasta que esté bien frío.
Shake the cocktail in the shaker until it is well chilled.
Imperative, informal singular command.
Los rumores comenzaron a agitar el ambiente político del país.
The rumors began to agitate the country's political atmosphere.
Infinitive after 'comenzar a', figurative use.
Se agitó en su silla, tratando de controlar su enfado.
He shifted in his chair, trying to control his anger.
Reflexive verb 'agitarse', preterite tense, third person singular.
El escritor utilizó la metáfora del mar agitado para describir su estado emocional.
The writer used the metaphor of the agitated sea to describe his emotional state.
Adjective form 'agitado'.
Agita la mezcla lentamente para que no se formen grumos.
Stir the mixture slowly so that lumps do not form.
Imperative, informal singular command.
La crisis económica agitó a las clases trabajadoras, generando descontento.
The economic crisis agitated the working classes, generating discontent.
Preterite tense, third person singular, figurative use.
No agites la botella de explosivos.
Do not shake the bottle of explosives.
Negative imperative, informal singular, safety warning.
El discurso del líder buscaba agitar a sus seguidores hacia la acción.
The leader's speech sought to agitate his followers towards action.
Infinitive after 'buscar', figurative use.
Agita la solución hasta que el color sea uniforme.
Stir the solution until the color is uniform.
Imperative, informal singular command.
La retórica incendiaria buscaba agitar las pasiones de la multitud.
The incendiary rhetoric sought to agitate the passions of the crowd.
Infinitive after 'buscar', figurative use.
Se agitó en su asiento, intranquilo por el resultado del juicio.
He fidgeted in his seat, uneasy about the trial's outcome.
Reflexive verb 'agitarse', preterite tense, third person singular.
La obra teatral representaba la agitación social de la época.
The play depicted the social unrest of the era.
Noun form 'agitación'.
Agita suavemente el matraz para asegurar una reacción completa.
Gently swirl the flask to ensure a complete reaction.
Imperative, informal singular command.
Los acontecimientos recientes habían agitado los cimientos de la estabilidad política.
Recent events had shaken the foundations of political stability.
Preterite tense, third person plural, figurative use.
No agites el recipiente con líquido inflamable.
Do not shake the container with flammable liquid.
Negative imperative, informal singular, safety warning.
El objetivo era agitar la conciencia pública sobre el problema ambiental.
The objective was to stir public consciousness about the environmental problem.
Infinitive after 'ser', figurative use.
Agita el pigmento en el agua hasta obtener una suspensión homogénea.
Stir the pigment in the water until a homogeneous suspension is obtained.
Imperative, informal singular command.
Common Collocations
Common Phrases
— Shake well. This is a common instruction, especially for liquids that need to be mixed before use.
Agita bien la botella de leche antes de beberla. (Shake the milk bottle well before drinking it.)
— Don't shake. This is a warning or a command to avoid shaking something.
No agites el recipiente con productos químicos. (Do not shake the container with chemicals.)
— To become agitated or worried about something.
Se agitó por la preocupación de no encontrar trabajo. (He became agitated by the worry of not finding a job.)
— To shake one's head, usually to indicate disagreement or negation.
Agitó la cabeza en señal de negación. (He shook his head in sign of negation.)
— To move one's body vigorously, often to dance or exercise.
Agitaron el cuerpo al ritmo de la música. (They moved their bodies to the rhythm of the music.)
— To stir public opinion. This implies influencing people's views on a matter.
Los medios intentaron agitar la opinión pública sobre el tema. (The media tried to stir public opinion on the issue.)
— Literally, to stir up the water. Figuratively, to cause trouble or disruption.
No quiero agitar las aguas en este momento. (I don't want to stir up trouble at this moment.)
— To shake off dust.
Agita el polvo de tu abrigo antes de entrar. (Shake the dust off your coat before coming in.)
— To shake the foundations. Can be literal (earthquake) or figurative (cause major upheaval).
El escándalo agitó los cimientos de la empresa. (The scandal shook the company's foundations.)
— Shake the bag. A common instruction for snacks or items needing distribution.
Agita la bolsa de patatas fritas antes de abrirla. (Shake the bag of chips before opening it.)
Often Confused With
'Revolver' implies a gentler stirring motion, usually circular, like stirring coffee. 'Agitar' is more vigorous, involving shaking or rapid back-and-forth movements.
'Batir' means to beat or whisk, often to incorporate air (like whipping cream or beating eggs). 'Agitar' is more about mixing or shaking.
'Sacudir' means to shake, often to remove dust or dry something. 'Agitar' can also mean shake, but often implies mixing or causing a reaction.
Idioms & Expressions
— To stir up trouble or cause controversy. It implies intentionally creating a disturbance or disrupting a peaceful situation.
Intentó agitar las aguas en la reunión familiar, pero nadie le prestó atención. (He tried to stir the pot at the family gathering, but no one paid him any attention.)
Informal— To surrender or signal defeat. This idiom is a direct reference to the historical practice of waving a white flag to indicate surrender in battle.
Después de tantos intentos fallidos, decidió agitar la bandera blanca y rendirse. (After so many failed attempts, he decided to wave the white flag and surrender.)
Neutral— To stir up a hornet's nest; to provoke trouble or anger from a group that was previously quiet.
No deberías preguntar sobre ese tema delicado; podrías agitar el avispero. (You shouldn't ask about that sensitive topic; you might stir up a hornet's nest.)
Informal— To cause a commotion or disturbance, often by saying or doing something provocative. Similar to 'agitar el avispero'.
Sus comentarios inesperados agitaron el gallinero en la sala de juntas. (His unexpected comments stirred up the coop in the boardroom.)
Informal— To cause fluctuations or instability in the stock market or economy.
Las noticias de la guerra agitaron la bolsa. (The war news stirred up the stock market.)
Financial— To test someone's patience; to make someone impatient.
Sus constantes interrupciones agitaron mi paciencia. (His constant interruptions tested my patience.)
Neutral— To stir up someone's spirits or emotions, either positively or negatively.
La música animada agitó su ánimo y lo hizo bailar. (The lively music stirred his spirits and made him dance.)
Neutral— To write vigorously or energetically, often with passion or intensity.
El poeta agitó la pluma para plasmar sus sentimientos en el papel. (The poet vigorously wrote to capture his feelings on paper.)
Literary— To talk a lot, often excessively or indiscreetly.
No le cuentes secretos, porque agita la lengua fácilmente. (Don't tell him secrets, because he talks too much easily.)
Informal— To move one's body energetically while dancing.
En la fiesta, todos agitaban el cuerpo al ritmo de la música. (At the party, everyone moved their bodies to the rhythm of the music.)
InformalEasily Confused
Both verbs mean to stir or mix.
'Revolver' is a gentler, typically circular stirring motion. 'Agitar' implies a more vigorous, often back-and-forth or up-and-down shaking or stirring.
Revolver el café con una cuchara (Stir the coffee with a spoon) vs. Agitar la coctelera (Shake the cocktail shaker).
Both involve mixing ingredients.
'Batir' is a more intense process of beating or whisking, often to incorporate air or create a frothy texture. 'Agitar' is generally for mixing or shaking.
Batir huevos para hacer una tortilla (Beat eggs to make an omelet) vs. Agitar una botella de salsa (Shake a bottle of sauce).
Both can mean 'to shake'.
'Sacudir' often implies shaking to remove something (like dust) or to dry. 'Agitar' can mean shake but often with the purpose of mixing or causing movement/agitation.
Sacudir la alfombra para limpiarla (Shake the rug to clean it) vs. Agitar la botella de medicina (Shake the medicine bottle to mix it).
Both imply causing something to change position.
'Mover' is a general term for 'to move'. 'Agitar' is a specific type of movement: shaking or stirring rapidly.
Mover la silla (Move the chair) vs. Agitar la botella (Shake the bottle).
Both can refer to causing a change or disturbance.
'Alterar' often means to change something's state or condition, sometimes negatively. 'Agitar' in its figurative sense implies causing unrest, excitement, or emotional disturbance, often more actively than 'alterar'.
El ruido alteró la paz (The noise altered the peace) vs. El discurso agitó a la multitud (The speech agitated the crowd).
Sentence Patterns
Agita + noun.
Agita la botella.
Agita + noun + adverb.
Agita la botella rápidamente.
No agites + noun.
No agites el agua.
Se agitó + prepositional phrase.
Se agitó por la noticia.
Agitar + noun + para + infinitive.
Agita la mezcla para que se disuelva.
El/La + noun + agitó + noun.
El viento agitó las ramas.
El/La + noun + agitó + a + person.
El discurso agitó a la multitud.
Agitar + noun + hasta que + subjunctive.
Agita la solución hasta que esté homogénea.
Word Family
Nouns
Verbs
Adjectives
Related
How to Use It
High
Memorize It
Mnemonic
Imagine you are 'agitating' a 'tiger' to make it shake with anger. 'Agitar' sounds a bit like 'agitating' and 'tiger'.
Visual Association
Picture a bartender vigorously shaking a cocktail shaker, the liquid inside 'agitated' and swirling.
Word Web
Word Origin
The word 'agitar' comes from the Latin verb 'agitare', which means 'to drive, to move, to shake, to toss about'. It is a frequentative form of 'agere', meaning 'to do, to drive, to act'.
Original meaning: To move rapidly, to shake, to stir.
Indo-European -> Italic -> Latin -> Romance -> SpanishCultural Context
When used in a figurative sense to describe social or political unrest, 'agitar' can be a sensitive term, implying deliberate instigation of trouble. Be mindful of the context and potential connotations.
In English, we use 'shake', 'stir', 'agitate', 'excite', 'disturb', and 'riot' depending on the context. 'Agitate' in English carries similar connotations of disturbance and unrest.
Practice in Real Life
Real-World Contexts
Kitchen and Bar
- Agita la botella.
- Agita bien la mezcla.
- Agita la coctelera.
Physical Actions
- Agita las manos.
- Agita la bolsa.
- Agita el polvo.
Emotions and States
- Se agitó por la noticia.
- No te agites.
- Su comportamiento lo agitó.
Social and Political
- Agitar a la multitud.
- Agitar la opinión pública.
- Agitar el avispero.
Nature
- El viento agitaba las hojas.
- El mar agitado.
Conversation Starters
"¿Qué sueles agitar antes de usarlo?"
"¿Alguna vez te has agitado mucho por algo? ¿Qué pasó?"
"¿Cómo se agita un cóctel perfecto?"
"¿Qué objeto en tu casa crees que se agita más a menudo?"
"¿Has visto alguna vez una manifestación y has sentido que se agitaba el ambiente?"
Journal Prompts
Describe una situación en la que tuviste que agitar algo. ¿Qué era y por qué lo agitaste?
Escribe sobre un momento en que te sentiste agitado o nervioso. ¿Qué causó esa sensación y cómo la manejaste?
Imagina que eres un barman. Describe cómo agitas un cóctel especial.
Piensa en una noticia reciente que haya agitado la opinión pública. ¿Cuál fue tu reacción?
Describe un objeto que se agita con el viento. ¿Cómo se ve y qué sensaciones te produce?
Frequently Asked Questions
8 questions'Agitar' implies a more vigorous action, like shaking something back and forth or up and down, or stirring very quickly. 'Revolver' suggests a gentler, more circular stirring motion, like stirring sugar into coffee with a spoon. Think of 'agitar' for a cocktail shaker and 'revolver' for your tea.
'Agitarse' is the reflexive form. It means to become agitated, nervous, or restless. It can also describe something shaking on its own. For example, 'El suelo se agitó' means 'The ground shook', and 'Ella se agitó por la noticia' means 'She became agitated by the news'.
Yes, figuratively. 'Agitar' can mean to disturb, excite, or upset someone emotionally. For example, 'La noticia lo agitó mucho' means 'The news upset him a lot'. It implies causing a stir or unrest.
The pronunciation is a-gi-TAR, with the stress on the final syllable. The 'g' is a soft 'h' sound, and the 't' is a flap sound. It sounds similar to 'ah-hee-TAHR'.
People commonly 'agitar' bottles (of drinks, medicine, sauces), bags (of snacks), pans (while cooking), and flags. They might also 'agitar' their hands to wave.
Yes, in a figurative sense. 'Agitar a la multitud' means to incite or stir up a crowd, which can lead to unrest or a riot. It implies actively provoking a strong reaction.
Yes, 'agitar' is a regular -ar verb. This means its conjugations in most tenses follow predictable patterns, making it relatively straightforward to learn. For example, in the present tense: yo agito, tú agitas, él agita, etc.
The noun form is 'agitación', which means agitation, commotion, or unrest. For example
Summary
'Agitar' means to shake or stir vigorously. It's used for physical actions like mixing drinks and for more abstract concepts like causing unrest or emotional agitation. It's a regular -ar verb, but context is crucial to understand its precise meaning.
- To shake or stir something vigorously.
- Can also mean to disturb or excite someone.
- Used in cooking, for physical actions, and for emotional states.
- Regular -ar verb, easy to conjugate.
- Pay attention to context for literal vs. figurative meaning.
Example
Agita bien el yogur antes de beberlo.
Related Content
This Word in Other Languages
More cooking words
a la plancha
B1Cooked on the griddle or grilled.
a mano
A2Performed or made by hand, not by machine.
ablandar
A2To make something soft or tender.
abundante
A2Present in large quantities; plentiful.
en aceite
B1Cooked in oil.
adobar
A2To marinate or season meat or fish.
adobo
B1Marinade, a seasoned liquid used to flavor and tenderize food.
ahumar
A2To cure or flavor food by exposing it to smoke.
al horno
B1Baked or roasted in the oven.
al punto
B1Medium rare (for meat); just right (for cooking).
