sujetarse

Sujetar is a Spanish verb that in its reflexive form, sujetarse, conveys actions carried out by the subject on themselves. The most common meanings are to hold onto something to steady oneself, to subject oneself to rules or authority, and to restrain or control one’s impulses or behavior.

Etymology and range of meaning: sujetar derives from Latin subiectus, meaning “placed under,” through the development of the verb in Spanish. The reflexive form emphasizes the subject’s action upon themselves or alignment with external constraints, rather than a simple transitive act of forcing something else to comply.

Usage and main senses: In physical contexts, sujetarse denotes gripping or bracing oneself, often with de or a: “El pasajero se sujetó del pasamanos.” In regulatory or authority contexts, it expresses submission or compliance: “Todos los empleados deben sujetarse a las normas.” In behavioral terms, it refers to restraining impulses or desires: “Tiene que sujetarse sus impulsos para mantener la calma.” While sujetar (transitive) can mean to hold or restrain something or someone else, sujetarse (reflexive) is commonly used for self-restraint or self-submission.

Grammatical notes: Sujetar is a regular -ar verb. The reflexive form follows standard conjugation patterns: present indicative me sujeto, te sujetas, se sujeta, nos sujetamos, os sujetáis, se sujetan; gerund is sujetando; participle is sujetado. It is often followed by a or a noun phrase when indicating submission to rules or authorities (sujeto a las normas) and by de when indicating dependence or holding onto something (sujetándose del pasamanos).

See also: related verbs such as sujetar (to fasten, to restrain), agarrar (to grab), aferrar (to grip), someterse (to submit).