Pecar describes either a religious transgression or a personal overindulgence or character flaw.
Word in 30 Seconds
- To commit a sin against moral or religious laws.
- Used figuratively to mean overindulging in something.
- Often used with 'de' to describe personality flaws.
Panorama general
El verbo 'pecar' proviene del latín 'peccare' y se utiliza fundamentalmente para describir la transgresión de un precepto religioso o moral. Aunque su origen es estrictamente teológico, el español lo ha adaptado para situaciones cotidianas donde alguien comete un error o se excede en una conducta.
Patrones de uso
Es un verbo intransitivo, por lo que generalmente no requiere un objeto directo. Se construye frecuentemente con la preposición 'de' cuando queremos indicar la causa del error o el exceso (ej. 'pecar de ingenuo'). Cuando se usa en contextos religiosos, suele ir seguido de un complemento circunstancial que indica la acción cometida.
Contextos comunes
El uso religioso es común en confesiones o reflexiones espirituales. Sin embargo, en el habla diaria, es muy frecuente usarlo para hablar de excesos dietéticos ('pecar con el postre') o de rasgos de personalidad que causan problemas ('pecar de optimista'). En este sentido, pierde su carga negativa grave y se convierte en una forma coloquial de admitir una debilidad humana.
Comparación con palabras similares
A diferencia de 'delinquir', que implica romper una ley civil o penal, 'pecar' se enfoca en la moralidad privada o las normas religiosas. Mientras que 'equivocarse' es un error accidental o de juicio, 'pecar' suele implicar una elección consciente o una debilidad ante una tentación.
Examples
He pecado al comer toda la tarta.
everydayI have sinned by eating the whole cake.
No debemos pecar contra la caridad.
formalWe must not sin against charity.
Él peca de impaciente.
informalHe is too impatient.
El autor peca de exceso de tecnicismos.
academicThe author is guilty of using too many technical terms.
Common Collocations
Common Phrases
el que esté libre de pecado
he who is without sin
pecar de nuevo
to sin again
pecar por exceso
to overdo it
Often Confused With
Equivocarse means to make a mistake or be wrong. Pecar implies a moral failing or an excessive behavior.
Delinquir refers specifically to committing a crime. Pecar is broader and covers moral or personal excesses.
Grammar Patterns
How to Use It
Usage Notes
Pecar is very versatile. In a religious setting, it is serious. In casual conversation, it is lighthearted and often used to justify small indulgences like eating sweets. Always remember the 'pecar de + adjective' construction for personality traits.
Common Mistakes
Learners often use 'pecar' as a direct translation for 'to make a mistake'. Avoid this; use 'cometer un error' or 'equivocarse' instead. Also, ensure you don't use it for legal crimes unless you want to sound overly dramatic or religious.
Tips
Use 'de' for personality traits
When describing a character flaw, use 'pecar de' followed by an adjective. It makes your Spanish sound natural and sophisticated.
Do not confuse with criminal acts
Using 'pecar' for crimes like theft or murder sounds strange. Stick to moral or behavioral contexts.
Religious roots in culture
In many Hispanic cultures, the concept of 'pecado' is deeply ingrained. You will hear it often in proverbs or casual conversations about food.
Word Origin
Derived from the Latin 'peccare', meaning to stumble or to make a mistake. It evolved from a physical sense of stumbling to a moral sense of falling into error.
Cultural Context
The concept of sin is central to Catholic tradition in Spanish-speaking countries. This has caused the word to permeate daily language, making it a common way to talk about guilty pleasures.
Memory Tip
Think of the word 'peccadillo' in English, which is a small sin. If you 'pecar', you are committing a small or large moral error.
Frequently Asked Questions
4 questionsNo, 'pecar' se refiere a la moral y la religión. Para temas legales, debes usar el verbo 'delinquir' o 'cometer un delito'.
Significa tener un exceso de una característica, generalmente negativa. Por ejemplo, 'pecar de orgulloso' significa ser demasiado orgulloso.
No, es un término estándar. Sin embargo, en contextos religiosos puede tener un peso emocional fuerte.
El sustantivo es 'pecado'. Una persona que comete pecados es un 'pecador'.
Test Yourself
Completa la frase con la forma correcta.
Ella siempre ___ de confiada con los desconocidos.
El sujeto es 'ella', por lo que necesitamos la tercera persona del singular.
Elige el significado correcto en este contexto: 'Hoy pequé con el chocolate'.
¿Qué significa aquí?
Es un uso figurado para indicar un exceso o una falta a la dieta.
Ordena la frase.
de / pecamos / a veces / curiosidad / .
Es la estructura más natural y común en español.
🎉 Score: /3
Summary
Pecar describes either a religious transgression or a personal overindulgence or character flaw.
- To commit a sin against moral or religious laws.
- Used figuratively to mean overindulging in something.
- Often used with 'de' to describe personality flaws.
Use 'de' for personality traits
When describing a character flaw, use 'pecar de' followed by an adjective. It makes your Spanish sound natural and sophisticated.
Do not confuse with criminal acts
Using 'pecar' for crimes like theft or murder sounds strange. Stick to moral or behavioral contexts.
Religious roots in culture
In many Hispanic cultures, the concept of 'pecado' is deeply ingrained. You will hear it often in proverbs or casual conversations about food.
Examples
4 of 4He pecado al comer toda la tarta.
I have sinned by eating the whole cake.
No debemos pecar contra la caridad.
We must not sin against charity.
Él peca de impaciente.
He is too impatient.
El autor peca de exceso de tecnicismos.
The author is guilty of using too many technical terms.
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