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Meaning of apuca | Babel Free

Verb CEFR B2 Standard
a.puˈka

Definitions

  1. to grab, grip, grasp, seize
    transitive
  2. to start, endeavour, begin to do something
    informal, reflexive
  3. to get to do something
    catenative
  4. to live to see something, either by living long enough or by being born early enough
    transitive
  5. to have a tradition be passed down
    transitive, uncommon
  6. to catch someone unready
    informal, transitive
  7. to come upon somebody
    informal, transitive
  8. to take it upon oneself
    obsolete, reflexive
  9. to usurp, take for oneself
    obsolete, transitive

Equivalents

Bosanski grab
English Clasp Clutch Fathom grab
Hrvatski grab
Српски grab

Examples

“a se apuca de treabă”

to get to work

“Copilul nu l-a apucat pe străbunicul său.”

The child didn’t get to meet his great-grandfather.

“Nichita Stănescu nu a apucat Revoluția, spre deosebire de Adrian Păunescu[…]”

Nichita Stănescu did not live to see the Revolution, unlike Adrian Păunescu […]

“a îl apuca seara”

to not be done by nightfall

“Pe constructori o să îi apuce iarna și tot nu o să fie gata.”

Winter will come and the builders still will not be ready.

“a îl apuca plânsul”

to start crying

“a îl apuca pandaliile”

to throw a fit

“Te-a apucat să cânți? Fă liniște!”

Did you suddenly think to start singing? Shut up!

“Ce l-a apucat să devină sentimental din pricina unui cuplu fericit?”

What’s come to him, for him to get sentimental because of a happy couple?

CEFR level

B2
Upper Intermediate
This word is part of the CEFR B2 vocabulary — upper intermediate level.

See also

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