apodar

to nickname

verb ah-poh-DAHR Rare

Usage Note

Apodar means to give someone a nickname or alias. It is typically used reflexively or in passive constructions: le apodaban 'el Tigre' (they nicknamed him 'the Tiger'). The noun apodo (nickname) comes from the same root. Unlike llamar (to call/name), apodar always implies an informal, often descriptive alias rather than a formal name.

Examples

"Sus compañeros lo apodaban 'el Rayo'."

Natural Translation

His teammates nicknamed him 'the Lightning'.

Literal Translation

His teammates him nicknamed 'the Lightning'.

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