garabatear

Senses

1. 1.

   to scribble; to doodle

   write or draw in a hasty or careless manner

2. 2.

   to scratch; to scrape

   make marks with an instrument in a rough way

Examples

• "Mi hijo garabatéa en las paredes con un lápiz."

  My son scribbles on the walls with a pencil.

• "Mientras escuchaba la conferencia, garabateaba en un cuaderno."

  While listening to the lecture, I doodled in a notebook.

• "Los gatos garabatean las cortinas con sus uñas."

  Cats scratch the curtains with their claws.

Usage

Informal and commonly used. Often implies careless, absent-minded, or playful marking. Closely related to the noun "garabato" (scribble, squiggle). Can also mean literally scratching surfaces, especially by animals.