aplastar

Aplastar is a Spanish verb that means to press something with enough force to flatten or crush it. It can describe a physical action as well as a figurative one, such as overwhelming a person, an obstacle, or a situation.

In the physical sense, aplastar requires a direct object and usually implies force that changes the shape or integrity of the object. Examples include flattening a can, mashing dough, or pressing a surface until it becomes thin or level. When the object is a person or an animate being, Spanish commonly uses the preposition a after the verb’s direct object, as in aplastar a alguien, for example “el coche aplastó a la lata” or “el oso aplastó al tronco.” Metaphorically, the verb can mean to defeat decisively, to suppress, or to crush hopes or plans, as in “el equipo aplastó a su rival” or “una noticia que aplastó sus esperanzas.”

Conjugation overview: aplastar is a regular -ar verb. In the present indicative: yo aplasto, tú aplastas, él aplasta, nosotros aplastamos, vosotros aplastáis, ellos aplastan. In the preterite: yo aplasté, tú aplastaste, él aplastó, nosotros aplastamos, vosotros aplastasteis, ellos aplastaron. The imperfect is: yo aplastaba, tú aplastabas, él aplastaba, nosotros aplastábamos, vosotros aplastabais, ellos aplastaban. Other tenses follow standard -ar conjugation patterns.

See also: related terms such as aplastar and aplanar, as well as palabras like aplastamiento (the act of flattening) and aplastado (flattened).