Spanish vocabulary · Beginner
How to Say Shake in Spanish
Sacudir · verb · sah-koo-DEER
The English verb 'shake' maps to several Spanish verbs depending on context: 'sacudir' (to shake off/shake out, like a rug or someone's shoulders), 'agitar' (to shake a container or liquid), 'temblar' (to tremble/shake involuntarily), and 'estrechar' (to shake hands). As a noun (milkshake), it's 'batido' or 'malteada.'
For 'sacudir': sah-koo-DEER. For 'agitar': ah-hee-TAHR. Each stressed on the final syllable.
Agita bien el jugo antes de abrirlo.
Shake the juice well before opening it.
Shake in Spanish: Quick Reference
Below are the most common Spanish words for shake, with pronunciation and regional usage notes.
| Spanish | English | Pronunciation | Region / Register |
|---|---|---|---|
| sacudir | shake | sah-koo-DEER | Default, widely understood |
| agitar | shake | to shake a container/liquid | |
| temblar | shake | to shake/tremble (involuntary) | |
| batido | shake | milkshake (noun) |
How Native Speakers Use Sacudir
Real example sentences across three contexts you'll actually run into.
Shaking a bottle
Agita el frasco de medicina antes de tomar la dosis.
Shake the medicine bottle before taking the dose.
Uses 'agitar' for shaking a container with liquid inside.
Earthquake context
La tierra tembló durante treinta segundos y todos salieron corriendo.
The ground shook for thirty seconds and everyone ran out.
Uses 'temblar' for involuntary earth-shaking during a quake.
Handshake
Se estrecharon las manos al cerrar el acuerdo de negocios.
They shook hands when closing the business deal.
Shows 'estrechar las manos' as the expression for handshaking.
Avoid These Mistakes When Using Sacudir
Using one verb for all types of shaking
Incorrect: Sacude la botella antes de abrirla.
Correct: Agita la botella antes de abrirla.
'Sacudir' means to shake off or shake out (removing dust, etc.), while 'agitar' means to shake a closed container to mix its contents. Using 'sacudir' for a bottle implies trying to empty it.
Translating 'shake hands' literally
Incorrect: Sacudimos las manos.
Correct: Nos estrechamos las manos. / Nos dimos la mano.
'Sacudir las manos' means to shake your hands dry. A handshake uses 'estrechar' (to clasp) or 'dar la mano' (to give the hand).
Lock in Shake Vocabulary with the Parrot Method
Why word lists alone don't stick
Memorizing a translation feels productive, but most learners forget 70% of what they studied within 48 hours. Vocabulary needs spaced repetition AND real-world exposure to transfer to long-term memory.
See Sacudir used by native speakers
Parrot's short-form videos feature native speakers using sacudir in real situations. Context-based exposure beats flashcards, you hear Agita bien el jugo antes de abrirlo. while watching someone live the moment, connecting meaning, sound, and rhythm at once.
Save, review, repeat, stay consistent
Tap any word to save it. Parrot's spaced-repetition system surfaces it right before you'd forget, no manual flashcard creation. The watch, parrot back, save, review cycle turns recognition into fluency at 2.7x the speed of traditional study.
Common Questions About Shake in Spanish
- Which verb do I use for 'shake' in Spanish?
- The choice depends on the type of shaking: use 'agitar' for liquids in containers, 'sacudir' for shaking something off or out (like dust from a rug), 'temblar' for involuntary trembling, and 'estrechar/dar la mano' for handshakes — there's no single universal translation.
- How do I say 'milkshake' in Spanish?
- A milkshake is called 'batido' in Spain and most countries, 'malteada' in Mexico and Central America, or 'licuado' in Argentina — each region has its own preferred term for this blended drink.
- What does 'sacudir' specifically mean?
- The verb 'sacudir' specifically means to shake something with the purpose of removing or displacing something else from it — like shaking out a tablecloth, shaking sand off a towel, or shaking someone by the shoulders to wake them up.