pecar

Pecar is a verb found in Spanish and Portuguese with the core sense of committing a fault or a sin. In religious contexts, it denotes violating moral or divine law; in everyday language it can also refer to making a mistake or shortcoming, sometimes with nuance of moral failing. The word reflects a common Romance-Latin root and is closely related to similar forms in other languages.

Etymology and cognates: Pecar derives from Latin peccare, meaning “to sin.” It has cognates in several Romance languages, such as Italian peccare and French pécher, underscoring a shared lineage across the family. The related noun pecad o or pecado (sin) is often used in tandem with the verb.

Usage in Spanish and Portuguese: In both languages, pecar is used to describe moral or practical fault. In Spanish, you can say someone va a pecar (to sin) or pecar contra alguien/contra la ley (to sin against someone or the law). In Portuguese, forms include eu peco, tu pecas, ele/ela pec a, nós pecamos, vós pecais, eles/elas pecam, with similar senses. In both languages pecar can appear with phrases that specify the target of the fault or the type of fault, and it remains common in religious, ethical, and everyday discourse.

See also: Sin, pecado, peccare. The term is primarily a verb in Iberian languages, used across formal and informal registers, and is part of a broader cluster of words describing moral or factual fault.