pecar

to sin

verb peh-KAHR Rare

Origin: From Latin peccare (to sin, to make a mistake).

Also means

to err

Usage Note

Pecar means to commit a sin in a religious sense, but it is also used hyperbolically: pecar de exceso (to err on the side of excess), peca de ingenuo ('he's a little too naive'). The spelling changes to pequé in the preterite first person (pecar → pequé) to preserve the /k/ sound.

Examples

"Nadie está libre de pecar."

Natural Translation

No one is free from sinning.

Literal Translation

Nobody is free of to-sin.

Related Words

Explore Spanish by topic

SpanishNow

Spanish Object Pronouns: Lo, La, Le & Se Made Simple

Use lo/la for the direct object and le for the indirect — and le becomes se before lo/la. Master Spanish object pronouns with one simple verb test.

June 9, 2026 6 min read

SpanishNow

How to Say "You" in Spanish: Tú, Usted, Vos & Vosotros

Spanish has five words for "you": tú, usted, vos, vosotros, and ustedes. Learn which to use by who you're talking to and where — plus the verb endings.

June 3, 2026 6 min read

SpanishNow

Spanish Filler Words: 15 Ways to Sound Natural

Spanish filler words like pues, o sea, and vale make you sound natural, not robotic. Learn 15 muletillas sorted by job, by region, and when not to use them.

June 9, 2026 6 min read

SpanishNow

How to Say "I Like" in Spanish: Gustar Without the Confusion

Say I like in Spanish with gustar the right way: me gusta vs me gustan, why it's never yo gusto, the pronouns, articles, and five verbs that copy the pattern.

June 9, 2026 6 min read