socar

Senses

1. 1.

   to punch, to hit with the fist

   to strike someone or something with a closed fist

2. 2.

   to pound, to crush

   to grind or crush something using a pestle or similar tool

3. 3.

   to ram, to pack down

   to compress or pack something tightly by force

Examples

• "Ele socou a parede de raiva."

  He punched the wall in anger.

• "A vovó socou o alho no pilão para fazer o molho."

  Grandma crushed the garlic in the mortar to make the sauce.

• "Precisa socar bem a terra no vaso antes de plantar."

  You need to pack down the soil in the pot well before planting.

Usage

Common informal verb in Brazilian Portuguese. Often used in contexts involving physical force or aggression (socar alguém = to punch someone). In cooking, frequently paired with "pilão" (mortar). The noun form is "soco" (punch).