Spanish Phrase
Agárrate del pasamanos.
Meaning
A direct command telling someone to hold onto the handrail for safety. It is used when the speaker wants the listener to secure themselves while moving on stairs, escalators, or any place with a rail.
When to use
Use this phrase in public places like metro stations, shopping malls, or at home when guiding someone, especially children or elderly, to prevent falls. It is informal and addressed to a familiar ‘tú’ audience.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Agárratedelpasamanos
Imperative reflexive (Agárrate)
‘Agárrate’ is the affirmative tú‑imperative of the reflexive verb ‘agarrarse’, formed by attaching the reflexive pronoun ‘‑te’ to the verb stem.
Contraction ‘del’
‘del’ is the contraction of the preposition ‘de’ + the masculine singular article ‘el’, used before a masculine noun.
Noun ‘pasamanos’
‘pasamanos’ (masc. sing.) means ‘handrail’ or ‘rail’, commonly found on stairs, escalators, and balconies.
🗨In Conversation
¡Cuidado, el escalador está resbalando!
Watch out, the escalator is slipping!
Agárrate del pasamanos.
Hold onto the handrail.
✕Common Mistakes
Agarrate del pasamanos.
Missing the accent on the second ‘a’; the correct form is ‘agárrate’.
Agarrar del pasamanos.
The verb must be reflexive in this command; ‘agarrar’ alone is not idiomatic here.
Agárrate a del pasamanos.
Do not use ‘a’ before ‘del’; the correct preposition is just ‘de’ (contracted to ‘del’).
↔Alternatives
Sujétate del pasamanos.
Grab the handrail.
Agarra el pasamanos.
Grab the handrail.
Toma el pasamanos.
Take the handrail.
Cultural Tip
In most Spanish‑speaking countries the informal imperative ‘agárrate’ is perfectly natural when speaking to friends, family, or children. In a formal setting you would use ‘sujétese del pasamanos’ (usted form). Some regions prefer the word ‘barandilla’ instead of ‘pasamanos’, so you might also hear ‘Agárrate de la barandilla.’