To place something under the ground, either physically or metaphorically.
Palavra em 30 segundos
- To cover something or someone with earth or soil.
- To figuratively let go of past feelings or memories.
- Used for gardening tasks like planting bulbs or seeds.
Overview
El verbo 'enterrar' proviene del latín 'interrare' (in- dentro + terra tierra). Es un verbo irregular que cambia la 'e' por 'ie' en las formas del presente (yo entierro, tú entierras). Su significado principal es el acto físico de cubrir algo con tierra, pero su uso se extiende a contextos abstractos y metafóricos muy comunes en el idioma español.
Usage Patterns
Se usa frecuentemente con complementos directos (enterrar un tesoro, enterrar a un familiar). En contextos figurados, funciona con sustantivos abstractos como 'rencores', 'pasado' o 'sueños'. La estructura gramatical suele ser: Sujeto + enterrar + Objeto + (opcionalmente) + lugar (en el jardín, en el cementerio).
Common Contexts
En el ámbito cotidiano, se usa al hablar de jardinería (plantar semillas o bulbos) o de mascotas fallecidas. En contextos literarios o emocionales, se emplea para hablar de cerrar etapas dolorosas. Es un término que conlleva una carga emocional seria, por lo que debe usarse con tacto al hablar de personas.
Similar Words Comparison
'Sepultar' es un sinónimo más formal y solemne, usado casi exclusivamente para seres humanos y contextos funerarios. 'Enterrar' es un término más versátil que sirve tanto para objetos inanimados como para seres vivos. 'Ocultar' o 'esconder' implican solo tapar, mientras que 'enterrar' implica específicamente el uso de tierra o un medio similar para cubrir el objeto.
Exemplos
El perro enterró su hueso en el jardín.
everydayThe dog buried his bone in the garden.
La familia decidió enterrar a su abuelo en el cementerio local.
formalThe family decided to bury their grandfather in the local cemetery.
Es hora de enterrar este rencor y seguir adelante.
informalIt is time to bury this grudge and move on.
Los arqueólogos lograron enterrar nuevamente las ruinas para protegerlas.
academicThe archaeologists managed to bury the ruins again to protect them.
Colocações comuns
Frases Comuns
enterrar el pasado
to bury the past
enterrar vivo
to bury alive
estar enterrado en trabajo
to be buried in work
Frequentemente confundido com
Sepultar is more formal and usually reserved for human burials. It carries a heavier, more solemn tone than enterrar.
Esconder means to hide something from sight, but not necessarily under the ground. Enterrar implies specifically using earth or soil.
Padrões gramaticais
How to Use It
Notas de uso
Enterrar is a neutral term that fits most contexts, though it can be blunt when discussing human death. In formal settings, synonyms like 'inhumar' are preferred. The figurative use is very common in emotional or social contexts to suggest finality.
Erros comuns
Learners often forget the stem-change in the present tense, saying 'enterra' instead of 'entierra'. Another common mistake is using it for 'hiding' objects that are not actually being covered by soil or dirt.
Tips
Remember the stem-changing pattern
Remember that 'enterrar' changes 'e' to 'ie' in most present tense forms. Keep this in mind to avoid common conjugation errors.
Be careful with sensitive topics
When talking about people, 'enterrar' can sound blunt. Use 'dar sepultura' if you want to sound more respectful or formal.
Metaphorical use in relationships
In Spanish, we often talk about 'enterrar el pasado' to mean moving on. It is a very common way to express emotional closure.
Origem da palavra
Derived from the Latin 'interrare', which combines 'in' (into) and 'terra' (earth/ground). It has maintained this literal meaning throughout the evolution of the Spanish language.
Contexto cultural
The phrase 'enterrar el hacha de guerra' is a cultural reference to Native American traditions, widely adopted in Spanish to signify the end of a conflict. Burials are deeply significant in Hispanic culture, often involving family gatherings.
Dica de memorização
Think of the word 'tierra' (earth) inside 'en-terr-ar'. You are putting something 'into the earth'.
Perguntas frequentes
4 perguntasSí, es correcto, aunque en contextos muy formales o religiosos se prefiere el término 'dar sepultura' o 'inhumar'.
Es un verbo de cambio vocálico: yo entierro, tú entierras, él entierra, nosotros enterramos, vosotros enterráis, ellos entierran.
Absolutamente. Es muy común decir 'enterrar un tesoro' o 'enterrar una cápsula del tiempo'.
Es una expresión idiomática que significa hacer las paces y terminar un conflicto con alguien.
Teste-se
Completa la frase con la forma correcta del verbo.
Mañana vamos a ___ las semillas en el huerto.
Después de 'vamos a' se utiliza el verbo en infinitivo.
Selecciona la opción correcta.
Él siempre ___ sus problemas en el trabajo.
El sujeto es 'Él' (tercera persona singular), por lo que requiere el cambio vocálico 'entierra'.
Ordena la frase.
el / enterró / perro / hueso / su
La estructura natural es Sujeto + Verbo + Objeto.
🎉 Pontuação: /3
Summary
To place something under the ground, either physically or metaphorically.
- To cover something or someone with earth or soil.
- To figuratively let go of past feelings or memories.
- Used for gardening tasks like planting bulbs or seeds.
Remember the stem-changing pattern
Remember that 'enterrar' changes 'e' to 'ie' in most present tense forms. Keep this in mind to avoid common conjugation errors.
Be careful with sensitive topics
When talking about people, 'enterrar' can sound blunt. Use 'dar sepultura' if you want to sound more respectful or formal.
Metaphorical use in relationships
In Spanish, we often talk about 'enterrar el pasado' to mean moving on. It is a very common way to express emotional closure.
Exemplos
4 de 4El perro enterró su hueso en el jardín.
The dog buried his bone in the garden.
La familia decidió enterrar a su abuelo en el cementerio local.
The family decided to bury their grandfather in the local cemetery.
Es hora de enterrar este rencor y seguir adelante.
It is time to bury this grudge and move on.
Los arqueólogos lograron enterrar nuevamente las ruinas para protegerlas.
The archaeologists managed to bury the ruins again to protect them.
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