The word parpadear, meaning to blink or to flutter, originated from the Latin word palpāre. The original meaning was to touch lightly or to flutter, but over time the word evolved to today’s current meaning.
Latin American Pronunciation
European Pronunciation
The word parpadear is an action verb in its base form. It mainly refers to blinking, the action of closing and opening the eyes quickly. It can also be used when talking about something that is fluttering, usually a light or sound fading in and out. Below are the related words for this verb:
- parpadeo = blink / flicker (noun)
- parpadeante = flashing
- parpadeador = a flasher / blinker (person or thing)
- parpadeante/parpadeando = flickering
No olvides parpadear mientras usas la computadora.
Don’t forget to blink while using the computer.
As mentioned above, the word parpadear is the verb used to describe someone who closes and opens their eyes quickly. Let’s look at the present, past and future conjugations:
- yo parpadeo
- tú parpadeas
- él/ella/usted parpadea
- nosotros/as parpadeamos
- vosotros/as parpadeáis
- ellos/ellas/ustedes parpadean
- yo parpadeé
- tú parpadeaste
- él/ella/usted parpadeó
- nosotros/as parpadeamos
- vosotros/as parpadeasteis
- ellos/ellas/ustedes parpadearon
- yo parpadearé
- tú parpadearás
- él/ella/usted parpadeará
- nosotros/as parpadearemos
- vosotros/as parpadearéis
- ellos/ellas/ustedes parpadearían
Parpadeé y no vi la estrella fugaz.
I blinked and missed the shooting star.
Did you know?
People blink about 15-20 times per minute on average. That’s a lot of parpadeo in a day!
The verb parpadear can also be used to talk about something that flickers, such as a light. Often, the word can be used to talk about technology. Some objects that flicker are pantallas de televisión (TV screens), computer screens, LED lights, smartphone notifications, luces del sistema de alarma (alarm system lights), battery chargers, audiovisual equipment, and semáforos (traffic lights).
- Los focos de navidad parpadean al sonido de la música. = The Christmas lights flash to the sound of music.
- El pequeño LED en mi cargador portátil parpadea cuando está cargando un dispositivo. = The small LED on my portable charger blinks when it is charging a device.
La luz de la cocina está parpadeando.
The kitchen light is flickering.
Parpadear can also be used for “fluttering” sounds, those that have rapid audible vibrations. For example, birds and insects make fluttering sounds, as do dispositivos mecánicos (mechanical devices) such as fans and refrigerators. Wind can also cause fluttering noises when it comes into contact with things such as paper, leaves, and flags.
- El reproductor de CD antiguo parpadeaba mientras intentaba leer el disco rayado. = The old CD player was flickering as it tried to read the scratched disc.
- La alarma contra incendios parpadeaba con un zumbido intermitente. = The fire alarm blinked with an intermittent hum.
Podía escuchar que la bandera parpadeaba por causa del viento.
I could hear the flag flickering because of the wind.
Parpadear can be used in a figurative sense to describe an emotional or mental state. For example, the feeling that your heart is fluttering because you are nervous or excited, also known as ‘butterflies in your stomach.’
- Tenía el corazón parpadeando de emoción. = His heart was fluttering with excitement.
Spanish idioms featuring ‘parpadear’
One popular Spanish phrase is en un abrir y cerrar de ojos. Although it doesn’t directly use the word parpadear, it refers to the action of blinking. In English, it translates to in a blink of an eye. Example sentences include:
- El año se fue en un abrir y cerrar de ojos. = The year went by in the blink of an eye.
- Se fue en un abrir y cerrar de ojos. = She/He was gone in the blink of an eye.
Hacer algo sin parpadear
Literal translation: to do something without blinking
English meaning: to do something without hesitation
Parpadear dos veces
Literal translation: to blink twice
English meaning: to do something quickly and with ease, as if it were effortless
