The Spanish word pegajoso means sticky in English. It comes from the root word and verb pegar, which means to stick. The verb pegar derives from the Latin word pāgāre, which means to fasten or to fix. The suffix -oso/osa that is added to the root word means something has a lot of a certain quality.
Latin American Pronunciation
European Pronunciation
Pegajoso is an adjective that agrees with the noun it modifies, changing form based on gender. Pegajoso is used for masculine nouns, while pegajosa is used for feminine nouns.
Las manos del niño están pegajosas por causa del caramelo.
The boy’s hands are sticky because of the candy.
The adjective pegajoso is used to describe sticky things. In the culinary world, the word describes sticky foods such as caramelos (candies) or gooey textured foods that get your hands messy such as salsa barbecue (barbecue sauce), mermelada (jam), miel (honey), caramelo (caramel), mantequilla de maní (peanut butter), and certain frutas (fruits).
When these foods spill over on the floor or the counter, they leave surfaces feeling pegajosos, making them unpleasant to walk on or to touch.
Fun Fact:
In Thailand, a popular dessert uses the word pegajoso (sticky) in its name. It’s called arroz pegajoso con mango (mango sticky rice). This dessert is made of a type of rice that clumps together forming a sticky texture. On top, it’s dripped with leche de coco (coconut milk) adding to the already sweet flavor. It’s served with ripe mango on the side and is one of the preferred dishes of this country.
Pegajoso can also describe materials that stick well, such as adhesivos (adhesives) or pegamento (glue). Other sticky materials include barra de pegamento (glue sticks), cinta (tape), pegatinas (stickers), pegamento líquido (liquid glue), and tiritas (band-aids).
The word pegajoso can also describe the feeling you get from humid weather, where sweat makes your skin feel sticky. For example, if you go to the beach in the summer and you get that sticky feeling, you can say Me siento pegajosa. (I feel sticky). Or, you can say, El clima está pegajoso hoy (The weather is sticky today.)
El chicle se volvió pegajoso y se quedó en mis dedos.
The chewing gum became sticky and got stuck to my fingers.
Pegajoso is also used figuratively to describe someone who is overly attached or dependent—often translated as clingy in English. This usage typically carries a negative connotation, referring to behaviour that can feel overwhelming. For example, a friend or partner might be described as pegajoso if they constantly seek attention or validation, causing the other person in the relationship to feel uncomfortable or burdened.
Pegajoso can also describe challenging or awkward situations. For instance, a conversation might be referred to as a situación pegajosa (a sticky situation) if it feels uncomfortable or difficult to navigate. Additionally, pegajoso can describe lingering feelings or ideas—like a memory or thought that sticks in your mind and is hard to shake.
Below are some example figurative uses of pegajoso:
- situación pegajosa = sticky situation: referring to a tricky or difficult situation or a challenging or awkward situation
- una idea pegajosa = sticky idea: an idea that sticks in one’s mind and is difficult to let go of or forget
- un recuerdo pegajoso = a sticky memory: a memory that lingers and affects you emotionally
- una canción pegajosa = a sticky song: a song that is catchy
Su novio es muy pegajoso. No le da nada de espacio.
Her boyfriend is very clingy. He doesn’t give her any space.
Spanish idioms featuring ‘pegajoso’
Ser pegajosa como la miel
Literal translation: to be sticky like honey
English meaning: to be clingy or to be a difficult person to escape from
Ser o estar pegajoso como chicle
Literal translation: to be sticky like chewing gum
English meaning: to be persistently adhesive or hard to remove (literal or figurative)
