Dictionary of Spoken Spanish/Part 1/E

by the United States War Department

E

• e and (before i or hi) María e Inés irán conmigo. Mary and Inez will go with me.
• ¡ea pues! come on! ¡Ea pues! Sigamos adelante. Come on, let's get going.
• echar to throw Echaremos esto en el cajón. We'll throw this into the drawer. ^▲ to discharge, dismiss, fire Echaron a muchos empleados. They fired many employees. ^▲ to pour Puede echar el vino en el vaso. You can pour the wine into the glass.

○ echar a (followed by verb of motion) to begin to, start to Echaron a correr al ver al policía. They began to run when they saw the police. ○ echar a perder to spoil, ruin Ha echado a perder el trabajo. He's spoiled the work. ○ echar a pique to sink Los submarinos echaron a pique muchos barcos. The submarines sank a lot of ships. ○ echar de menos to miss (notice the lack of) Echa de menos a sus amigos. He misses his friends. ○ echar de ver to notice, observe No echó de ver el cambio. He didn't notice the change. ○ echar en cara to throw in one's teeth, throw up to one Siempre me echaba en cara sus favores. He was always throwing his favors up to me. ○ echar la llave to lock the door Eche Ud. la llave al salir. Lock the door when you go out. ○ echar por tierra to overthrow, spoil Le echaron por tierra sus proyectos. They overthrew his plans. ○ echarse to lie down Se echó en la arena. He lay down in the sand. ○ echarse a perder to spoil La carne se echó a perder. The meat spoiled. ○ echarse a (reír, llorar) to begin or start to (laugh, cry). ○ echarse atrás to back out, withdraw Cuento con Ud., no se vaya a echar atrás. I'm counting on you not to back out.

• eclipsar to eclipse.
• eco echo.
• economía economy.
  ○ economía política economics. ○ economías savings Perdió todas sus economías. He lost all his savings.
• económico economical.
• economizar to save Economizaba la mitad de lo que ganaba. He saved half of what he earned.—Por aquel camino economizaba tiempo. He saved time by taking that road.
• ecuador [m] equator.
• edad [f] age.
• edificar to build Edificarán una ciudad moderna. They'll build a modern city.
• edificio building.
• editor [m] publisher Los editores de ese periódico son muy liberales. The publishers of that newspaper are very liberal.
• edredón [m] comforter (cover); featherbed.
• educación [f] breeding, upbringing Es un hombre sin educación. He's ill-bred. ^▲ education (intellectual, physical, and moral training).
• educar to educate Hay que educar al pueblo. The people must be educated. ^▲ to train Han educado muy bien a su perro. They've trained their dog very well.
• efectivo effective.
  ○ en efectivo in cash Quiero que me paguen en efectivo. I want to be paid in cash.
• efecto effect. ^▲ impression Su actuación causó mal efecto. His behavior made a bad impression.
  ○ en efecto in fact ¡En efecto, no sabe nada! In fact, he doesn't know anything.
• efectuar to carry out, put into effect.
• eficaz efficient, effective Tomaron una medida muy eficaz. They took a very effective measure.
• efusión [f] effusion, warmth La efusión de su acogida le emocionó. The warmth of his reception moved him.
• egoísta selfish Es un hombre muy egoísta; no piensa en los demás. He's a very selfish man; he never thinks of others.
• ¡eh! hey! ¡Eh! Aquí estoy. Hey, here I am!
• eje [m] axle El eje está roto. The axle's broken. ^▲ main point Este es el eje de la cuestión. That's the crux of the matter.
• ejecución [f] execution Se hará cargo de la ejecución del proyecto. He'll be in charge of carrying out the plan. ^▲ performance La ejecución del programa musical fué excelente. The performance of the musical program was excellent.
• ejecutar to execute, carry out Se están ejecutando cambios en el Gabinete. They're making changes in the Cabinet.
• ejecutivo [adj] executive; efficient.
• ejemplar exemplary Es de una conducta ejemplar. His conduct is exemplary. ^▲ [m] copy No pude conseguir otro ejemplar del libro. I couldn't get another copy of the book.
• ejemplo example Sirve de ejemplo a los demás. He sets an example for the others.—Déme Ud. un ejemplo porque no entiendo. Give me an example; I don't understand.
• ejercer to handle, hold, practice Ha ejercido ese cargo por mucho tiempo. He's handled that job for a long time.
• ejercicio exercise, drill.
• ejercitar to exercise, drill Está ejercitando su caballo. He's exercising his horse.
• ejército army.
• ejote [m] string bean [Am].
• el the.
• él he El llegó tarde. He arrived late.
• elástico [adj; m] elastic.
• elección [f] election; choice.
• electo See elegir.
• electricidad [f] electricity.
• electricista [m, f] electrician.
• eléctrico electric.
• elefante [m] elephant.
• elegancia elegance Estaba vestida con elegancia. She was elegantly dressed.
• elegante stylish, smart.
• elegir [rad-ch III] to choose, select Sabe elegir sus amigos. He knows how to choose his friends. ^▲ to elect ¿A quién han elegido presidente del club? Who did they elect president of the club?
• elemental elementary.
• elemento element, factor Es un elemento perturbador. He's a disturbing element. ^▲ element Cuando baila está en su elemento. He's in his element when he's dancing.
• elevación [f] elevation, height, altitude.
• elevar to erect Van a elevar un monumento a los héroes. They're going to erect a monument to the heroes.
  ○ elevarse to climb, ascend Los aviones se elevaron a gran altura. The airplanes climbed very high.
• eliminar to eliminate.
• ella she.
• ello it, that Hablemos de ello. Let's talk about that.
• ellos [m] they.
• elocuencia eloquence.
• elocuente eloquent.
• elogiar to praise Nunca elogia a nadie. He never praises anyone.
• elogio praise.
• elote [m] ear of green corn (for roasting) [Am].
• emanación [f] fumes.
• embajada embassy; delegation.
• embajador [m] ambassador.
• embanderar to decorate with banners La calle está embanderada. The street's decorated with banners.
• embarcar to ship, send by boat Embarcaré mi equipaje primero. I'll ship my baggage first.
  ○ embarcar(se) to embark Se embarcó para Buenos Aires. He embarked for Buenos Aires.
• embargar to seize, attach Les embargarán todas sus propiedades. They'll seize all their property.
• embargo ○ sin embargo however, nevertheless Aunque es el estado más pequeño, es, sin embargo, el más poblado. Though it's the smallest estate, nevertheless it's the most densely populated.
• embarque [m] shipment; boarding (a ship).
• embestir [rad-ch III] to attack, charge (head first) El enemigo embistió con furia. The enemy attacked furiously.
• emblema [m] emblem, insignia.
• embriagar to make drunk, intoxicate Este vino embriaga muy fácilmente. This wine's very intoxicating. ^▲ to overcome Estaba embriagado por la emoción. He was overcome with emotion.
  ○ embriagarse to get drunk Se embriagaron en la fiesta. They got drunk at the party.
• embrollar to muddle, mess up No embrolle Ud. las cosas. Don't mess things up.
• embrollo muddle, mess ¡Esto es un embrollo! This is a mess.
• embromar to play jokes on Se pasa el tiempo embromando a todo el mundo. He spends his time playing jokes on everybody.
• embuste [m] lie Todos creyeron su embuste. Everyone believed his lie.
• embustero, embustera liar.
• emergencia emergency.
• emigración [f] emigration.
• emigrante [m, f; adj] emigrant.
• emigrar to emigrate.
• eminencia summit, top; hill Desde una eminencia se divisaba el valle. From a hill one could see the valley. ^▲ outstanding person (in science, letters, arts).
• eminente famous, eminent Es un escritor eminente. He's a famous writer.
• emoción [f] emotion Me quedé mudo de la emoción. I was speechless with emotion. ^▲ feeling El actor hizo su papel con emoción. The actor played the part with feeling.
• emocionarse to be moved Se emociona fácilmente. He's easily moved.
• empacar to pack.
• empalizada (wooden) fence.
• empalizar to fence Empalizaron el jardin. They fenced the garden.
• empalme [m] junction.
• empañar to blur, dim La humedad empaña los vidrios. Moisture blurs the glass.
• empapar to soak Empape esta esponja en agua. Soak this sponge in water.
  ○ empaparse to be soaked, be drenched Llueve tanto que me he empapado al cruzar la calle. It's raining so hard I got soaked crossing the street.
• emparejar to make level, make even [Am]; to match [Sp].
• empatar to equal. ^▲ to tie Los dos equipos empataron en el primer partido. The two teams tied in the first game.
• empate [m] tie, draw.
• empedrado cobblestone pavement.
• empedrar to pave with cobblestones.
• empellón [m] push, shove Me dio un empellón y pasó delante de mí. He gave me a push and got ahead of me.
  ○ entrar a empellones to push one's way in La gente entraba a empellones. The people pushed their way in.
• empeñar to pledge, give Empeñé mi palabra. I gave my word. ^▲ to pawn Tuvo que empeñar su reloj. He had to pawn his watch.
  ○ empeñarse en to be bent on Se empeña en hacerlo a pesar de los obstáculos. He's bent on doing it in spite of all obstacles.
• empeño determination, firmness Trabajó con tanto empeño que se hizo rico. He worked with such determination that he became rich. ^▲ pawn; pawning.
  ○ casa de empeños pawnshop.
• empeorarse to grow worse.
• empezar [rad-ch I] to begin ¿A qué hora empieza la función? When does the performance begin?
• empinado steep.
• empinar ○ empinar el codo to drink Le gusta empinar el codo. He likes to drink. ○ empinarse to stand on one's toes Tendrá que empinarse para poder ver. You'll have to stand on your toes to see.
• empleado See emplear. ^▲ [n] employee.
• emplear to use, employ Emplearemos otro material. We'll use other material. ^▲ to employ, hire ¿Van a emplear más gente? Are they going to employ more people? ^▲ to invest Empleó su dinero en negocios. He invested his money in business.
• empleo employment; job Tengo un buen empleo. I have a good job. ^▲ use El empleo de esa palabra no es común. That word isn't in common use.
• empobrecerse [-zc-] to become poor.
• empolvarse to powder oneself Se empolva demasiado. She uses too much powder. ^▲ to get dusty En este tiempo se empolva mucho la carretera. The road gets very dusty in this weather.
• emprender to undertake.
• empresa undertaking, project, enterprise Es muy difícil realizar esa empresa. It's very difficult to carry out that project. ^▲ company Ha quebrado la empresa. The company's failed.
• empresario manager (theatrical), promoter.
• empujar to push Haga el favor de empujar la mesa hacia aquí. Please push the table over this way.
• empujón [m] push Le dieron un empujón. They gave him a push.
  ○ a empujones by pushing.
• en in. ^▲ at La vi en la estación. I saw her at the station. ^▲ on ¿En cuál tren vino Ud.? What train did you come on?
  ○ en vano in vain Esperé en vano toda la tarde. I waited all afternoon in vain.
• enamorado in love. ^▲ [n] one in love, lover, sweetheart.
• enamorar to flirt with, make love to Enamora a todas las chicas. He makes love to all the girls.
  ○ enamorarse de to fall in love with.
• encadenar to chain.
• encajar to fit La tapa no encaja bien. The cover doesn't fit well. ^▲ to fit in Ella no encaja bien aquí. She doesn't fit in here.
• encaminar to direct Los encaminamos a la estación. We directed them to the station.
  ○ encaminarse to make one's way, go Se encaminó hacia su casa. He went toward his house.
• encantador [adj] charming. ^▲ [n] charmer.
• encantar to charm, delight Esta escena me encanta. This scene delights me.
• encanto charm.
• encarado ○ mal encarado tough-looking Es un'tío muy mal encarado. He's a very tough-looking guy.
• encaramarse to climb Se encaramó al árbol. He climbed the tree.
• encarcelar to imprison.
• encarecer [-zc-] to raise, make expensive Han encarecido el precio de la carne. They've raised the price of meat. ^▲ to beg Le encarezco que lo haga con cuidado. I beg you to do it carefully.
  ○ encarecerse to become more expensive, go up Los víveres se han encarecido. The price of food's gone up.
• encargado (see encargar) in charge Está encargado de la organización de la fiesta. He's in charge of preparations for the party. ^▲ [n] manager, person in charge Hable Ud. con el encargado. Speak to the manager.
• encargar to entrust Le encargaron una misión muy delicada. They entrusted him with a very delicate mission. ^▲ to ask, urge Me encargó que no lo dijese. He urged me not to say it.
  ○ encargarse to take charge Me encargaré del trabajo. I'll take charge of the work.
• encargo job, assignment Me ha dado un encargo que no me gusta. He's given me an assignment that I don't like. ^▲ errand Salió a hacer unos encargos. He went out on some errands.
• encarnado [adj] red.
• encarnizado cruel, pitiless.
• encendedor [m] cigarette lighter.
• encender [rad-ch I] to light, put on Haga el favor de encender la luz. Please put on the light.
  ○ encenderse to light up, go on Se encendieron los faroles. The street lights went on.
• encendido (see encender) bright-colored.
  ○ ponerse encendido to blush.
• encerrar [rad-ch I] to lock up Los encerraron en un calabozo. They locked them up in a cell. ^▲ to include, contain Ese libro encierra ideas útiles. That book contains useful ideas.
  ○ encerrarse to shut oneself (up), lock oneself (up) Se ha encerrado en su cuarto. He locked himself in his room.
• encía gum (of the mouth).
• encima on ¿Quiere Ud. que ponga esto encima de la mesa? Do you want me to put this on the table?
  ○ por encima superficially, sketchily He leído el diario por encima. I skimmed through the paper. ○ por encima de above El avión volaba por encima de las nubes. The airplane was flying above the clouds.
• encina evergreen oak (tree).
• encinta pregnant.
• encoger to shrink Esa tela va a encoger si se lava. That material's going to shrink if it's washed.
  ○ encogerse de hombros to shrug one's shoulders Se encogió de hombros por toda contestación. His only answer was to shrug his shoulders.
• encogido (see encoger) bashful Era un chico muy encogido. He was a very bashful boy.
• encolerizar to anger.
  ○ encolerizarse to become angry.
• encomendar to charge with, entrust to Le encomendarán la ejecución del proyecto. They'll entrust the completion of the project to him.
• encomienda ○ encomienda postal parcel, package, parcel post [Am].
• enconado (see enconarse) rankling Se tenían un odio enconado. They had a rankling hatred for each other.
• enconarse to become infected Se le ha enconado la herida. His wound has become infected.
• encontrar [rad-ch I] to find Encontré este reloj en la estación. I found this watch at the station.—¿Cómo encuentra Ud. el trabajo? How do you find the work? ^▲ to meet Anoche encontré a mi amigo en la biblioteca. I met my friend in the library last night.
  ○ encontrarse to meet Nos encontraremos en el teatro. We'll meet in the theater. ^▲ to collide Los dos camiones se encontraron con gran estrépito. The two trucks collided with a great crash. ^▲ to be Mi mujer se encontraba allí. My wife was there. ^▲ to come upon Al doblar la esquina nos encontramos con el desfile. We came upon the parade when we turned the corner. ^▲ to feel ¿Cómo se encuentra el enfermo esta mañana? How's the patient feeling this morning?
• encontronazo bump, collision.
• encorvar to bend, curve.
  ○ encorvarse to bend, stoop.
• encrucijada street or road intersection.
• encuentro meeting Fué un encuentro muy afortunado. It was a very fortunate meeting. ^▲ match Después de veneer en todos los encuentros, obtuvo el título de campeón. After winning all the matches, he got the title of champion.
  ○ salir al encuentro de to go to meet Salió al encuentro de los invitados. He went to meet the guests.
• encurtido pickle [Am].
• enderezar to straighten.
  ○ enderezarse to straighten up, sit up.
• endiablado devilish, mischievous.
• endoso indorsement.
• endulzar to sweeten.
• endurecer(se) [-zc-] to harden.
• enemigo [n; adj] enemy.
• enemistad [f] enmity.
• energía energy.
  ○ energía eléctrica electric power.
• enérgico energetic.
• enero January.
• enfadar to anger, annoy.
  ○ enfadarse to get angry No hay motivo para enfadarse. There's no reason to get angry.
• enfado anger, annoyance.
• énfasis [m] emphasis.
• enfermar(se) to fall ill, to get sick.
• enfermedad [f] illness, sickness, disease.
• enfermera nurse.
• enfermo [adj] sick Ayer operaron al niño enfermo. They operated on the sick child yesterday. ^▲ [m] patient El enfermo está en el hospital. The patient's in the hospital.
• enflaquecer(se) [-zc-] to become thin.
• enfrente opposite, across Enfrente hay una casa blanca. Across (the street) there's a white house.
  ○ de enfrente across the street Viven en la casa de enfrente. They live in the house across the street. ○ enfrente de opposite El auto está parado enfrente de aquel edificio. The car's parked opposite that building.
• enfriamiento [m] cold (illness).
• enfriar to cool Debemos enfriar el agua en la nevera. We must cool the water in the ice box.
  ○ enfriarse to cool off, become cold Deje el café ahí para que se enfríe. Leave your coffee there so it can cool off. ^▲ to get chilled Abrigúese bien, no se vaya a enfriar. Dress warmly so you won't get chilled.
• engañar to deceive Engañó a su amigo. He deceived his friend.
  ○ engañarse to make a mistake, be wrong Se engañaron a causa de la niebla. They made a mistake because of the fog.
• engaño deceit.
• engordar to fatten; to get fat.
• enhorabuena congratulations.
• enjuagar to rinse.
• enlace [m] marriage Han anunciado su próximo enlace. They've announced their coming marriage. ^▲ connection(s) El enlace de trenes es excelente en esta estación. The train connections at this station are excellent.
• enlazar to connect Esos dos trenes enlazan en la próxima estación. Those two trains connect at the next station.
• enlodarse to get muddy Las ruedas se enlodaron completamente. The wheels got all muddy.
• enloquecer [-zc-] to become insane A consecuencia del golpe enloqueció. As a result of the blow he became insane. ^▲ to drive crazy Este trabajo me está enloqueciendo. This work's driving me crazy.
  ○ enloquecerse to get furious or mad Con la discusión se enloqueció. He got furious as a result of the argument.
• enmendar [rad-ch I] to amend, correct Hágame el favor de enmendar esta copia. Please correct this copy for me.
  ○ enmendarse to mend one's ways, reform Si no no se enmienda, no podrá triunfar nunca. If he doesn't mend his ways, he'll never succeed.
• enmohecido rusty.
• enojar to anger La suspensión del espectáculo enojó al público. The public was angered by the suspension of the show.
  ○ enojarse to get angry Enojándose no arreglará nada. Nothing will be gained by getting angry.
• enojo anger.
• enorme enormous.
• enormidad [f] outrage Lo que ha hecho ese hombre es una enormidad. What that man's done is an outrage. ^▲ great number, great quantity En la fiesta hubo una enormidad de gente. There was a great crowd at the party.
• enredadera climbing vine.
• enredar to snarl, tangle up El gato enredó todos los hilos. The cat tangled up all the threads. ^▲ to snarl, mess up El gerente enredó todos los negocios de la compañía. The manager messed up all the company's business.
  ○ enredarse to get snarled Se enredó la cuerda. The string got snarled. ○ enredarse con to get involved with Se enredó con una mala mujer. He got involved with a bad woman. ○ enredarse en to get involved in Se enredó en negocios sucios. He got involved in shady business affairs.
• enredo tangle, intrigue.
• enriquecer [-zc-] to enrich. ^▲ to enhance Ese adorno enriquece mucho el traje. That trimming enhances the dress.
  ○ enriquecerse to get rich Se enriqueció de repente. He got rich quickly.
• enrollar to roll up Enrolle Ud. esas revistas. Roll up those magazines.
• enronquecer(se) [-zc-] to get hoarse Se enronqueció de tanto gritar. He got hoarse from so much shouting.
• ensalada salad.
• ensanchar to widen Estaban ensanchando el camino cuando pasamos. They were widening the road when we passed. ^▲ to let out, enlarge Tiene Ud. que ensancharme la chaqueta. You'll have to let out my jacket.
• ensayar to try, test Vamos a ensayar el nuevo material. We're going to test the new material. ^▲ to rehearse No han tenido tiempo de ensayar la comedia. They haven't had time to rehearse the play.
• ensayo test, trial; rehearsal.
• ensenada cove.
• enseñanza instruction, teaching.
• enseñar to teach Un mejicano le enseñó español. A Mexican taught him Spanish. ^▲ to show Me enseñó el retrato de su novia. He showed me a picture of his sweetheart. ^▲ to show, point out Enseñe Ud. el camino al señor. Show this gentleman the way.
• ensillar to saddle.
• ensordecer [-zc-] to deafen.
• ensuciar to soil, to dirty.
• ensueño pipe dream, day dream.
• entablar to board up Entablaron las ventanas. They boarded up the windows. ^▲ to begin, start Han entablado negociaciones. They've started negotiations.
• entablillar to put splints on Se rompió un brazo y tuvieron que entablillárselo. He broke his arm and they had to put splints on it.
• entender [rad-ch I] to understand Ya entiendo lo que Ud. quiere decir. Now I understand what you mean.
  ○ a (or según) mi entender in my opinion A mi entender es mejor cambiar de procedimiento. In my opinion it's better to change the policy. ○ entender de to be familiar with, be good at ¿Entiende Ud. de mecánica? Are you good at mechanics? ○ entenderse con to deal with Tendrán que entenderse con el jefe. They'll have to deal with the boss. ○ entender(se) en to be in charge of ¿Quién se entiende en este asunto? Who's in charge of this matter?
• entendido (see entender) ○ estar (or quedar) entendido to be understood Está entendido que empezaremos mañana. It's understood that we'll start tomorrow. ○ no darse por entendido to pretend not to understand No me di por entendido. I pretended I didn't understand. ○ ser (muy) entendido en to be skilled or informed in Es un obrero muy entendido en su oficio. He's very skilled in his trade.
• entendimiento understanding; mind.
• enterar to inform, report Debemos enterar a la dirección de lo que pasa. We must inform the management of what's going on.
  ○ enterarse to pay attention No te enteras de lo que te estoy diciendo. You aren't listening to what I'm saying. ○ enterarse (de) to learn Acabo de enterarme de la noticia. I've just learned the news. ^▲ to find out, inquire Entérese del hotel en que viven. Find out what hotel they're living at.
• entereza fortitude; presence of mind.
• entero entire, whole.
• enterrar [rad-ch I] to bury.
• entierro burial.
• entonación [f] intonation.
• entonar to sing in tune; to begin to sing. ^▲ to harmonize, blend (of colors) Estos colores entonan muy bien. These colors harmonize very well.
• entonces at the time, then Entonces vivía con sus padres. He was living with his parents at the time. ^▲ then ¿Entonces ya no me necesita Ud.? Then you don't need me now, do you?—¿Y entonces que pasó? And then what happened?
  || ¿Entonces? Then what? or And then? [Am].
• entrada entrance Adornaron la entrada con banderas. They decorated the entrance with flags. ^▲ admission La entrada será gratis. Admission will be free. ^▲ attendance La función tuvo una buena entrada. The show was well attended. ^▲ ticket, seat Debemos comprar las entradas ahora mismo. We have to buy the tickets right now. ^▲ admittance Se prohibe la entrada. No admittance. ^▲ beginning A la entrada del invierno saldré de viaje. I'm leaving on a trip at the beginning of winter. ^▲ entrée ¿Qué desea Ud. como entrada? What do you want for an entree?
  ○ entradas receding hair at temples A pesar de su juventud ya tiene entradas. In spite of his youth his hair's already receding at the temples. ^▲ income Las entradas superan a las salidas. The income exceeds the outgo.
  || Entrada pública. Admission free.
• entrar to enter, come in, go in ¿Se puede entrar? May I come in? ^▲ to fit El zapato no me entra, es muy chico. The shoe doesn't fit me; it's too small. ^▲ to join Quiero entrar en un club deportivo. I want to join an athletic club.
  ○ entrar a trabajar to go to work, be employed Entraron a trabajar en una fábrica. They went to work in a factory. ○ entrar en (or a) to enter Entrará en la Universidad el año próximo. He'll enter the University next year.
  || A este chico no le entra la aritmética. This child can't get arithmetic through his head.
• entre between La mujer estaba sentada entre dos hombres. The woman was sitting between two men. ^▲ among Repartiremos las ganancias entre todos. We'll divide the profits among all of us.—Es muy alegre la vida entre estudiantes. Life among students is very gay.—Entre los cuatro levantaron la carga. Among the four of them, they picked up the load.
• entreabierto (see entreabrir) ajar, half-open.
• entreabrir to open halfway, open part way.
• entreacto intermission.
• entrega delivery Ud. tendrá que pagar a la entrega del paquete. You'll have to pay for the package on delivery.
• entregar to deliver, hand over No han entregado la mercadería todavía. They haven't delivered the goods yet. ^▲ to hand Entregúeme la carta. Hand me the letter. ^▲ to give up, surrender, turn over Lo entregaron a la policía. They turned him over to the police.
  ○ entregarse to give in, yield Se entregó a la bebida. He gave in to drink. ^▲ to surrender El batallón se entregó al enemigo. The battalion surrendered to the enemy.
• entrenador [m] trainer, coach.
• entrenamiento training, coaching.
• entrenar to train.
• entrepaño shelf.
• entretanto meanwhile.
• entretener [irr] to entertain, amuse Hay que entretener al niño con algo. You have to amuse the child with something. ^▲ to delay, tie up Mis asuntos me entretuvieron hasta muy tarde. My affairs tied me up until very late.
  ○ entretenerse to amuse oneself Nos entretuvimos jugando a las cartas. We amused ourselves playing cards. ^▲ to be tied up, be delayed Me entretuve hasta muy tarde arreglando unas cosas. I was tied up until very late getting some things in order.
• entretenido (see entretener) entertaining, amusing.
• entretenimiento pastime.
• entrevista interview.
• entrevistar to interview.
• entristecer [-zc-] to sadden, be depressing Lo negro entristece. Black is depressing.
  ○ entristecerse to become sad Se entristeció mucho al saberlo. He became sad when he found out.
• entumecer to numb El frío entumece los miembros. Cold numbs the limbs.
  ○ entumecerse [-zc-] to become numb.
• enturbiar to roil, make muddy El temporal enturbió las aguas. The storm roiled the water. ^▲ to dim (vision) La fiebre le enturbió la vista. The fever dimmed his vision.
  ○ enturbiarse to become muddy El agua se enturbió con la lluvia. The water became muddy because of the rain.
• entusiasmar to make enthusiastic Las noticias entusiasmaron al público. The news made the public enthusiastic.
  ○ entusiasmarse to be enthusiastic Los muchachos se entusiasmaron con la música. The boys were enthusiastic about the music.
• entusiasmo enthusiasm.
• entusiasta [m, f] enthusiast.
• envejecer [-zc-] to age, become old.
• envenenamiento poisoning.
• envenenar to poison.
• enviado envoy.
• enviar to send Envíe Ud. la carta por correo aéreo. Send the letter airmail.
  ○ enviarle a uno a paseo to send one about his business, tell someone to go chase himself.
• envidia envy.
• envidiable enviable.
• envidiar to envy Envidia a todos sus amigos. He envies all his friends.
• envidioso envious.
• envío shipment.
• envolver [rad-ch I] to wrap No envolvieron bien la caja. They didn't wrap the box well.
• envuelto (see envolver) involved Siempre está envuelto en líos. He's always involved in some sort of a mess.
• epidemia epidemic.
• episodio episode.
• época epoch, time, times, period.
• equilibrio balance.
• equipaje [m] baggage, luggage Si va Ud. en avión no podrá llevar mucho equipaje. If you go by plane you won't be able to take much luggage.—En la frontera van a registrar el equipaje. They're going to examine the baggage at the border.
• equipo team; equipment.
• equivalencia equivalent Déme Ud. la equivalencia en dólares. Give me the equivalent in dollars.
• equivocación [f] mistake Se llevó mi abrigo por equivocación. He took my coat by mistake.
• equivocar to mistake, confuse Equivocó los paquetes. He mixed up the packages.
  ○ equivocarse to make a mistake, be wrong Se equivoca Ud. You're wrong. ○ equivocarse de to . . . the wrong . . . Me equivoqué de autobús. I took the wrong bus.—Me equivoqué de puerta. I went to the wrong door.
• error [m] mistake Esta copia está llena de errores. This copy's full of mistakes.
  ○ error de imprenta typographical error (in printed matter). ○ error de máquina typographical error (in typewriting). ○ estar en un error to be mistaken Dispénseme, pero está Ud. en un error. Excuse me, but you're mistaken.
• esa (see ese) that.
• escabroso rough, uneven Bajamos por un camino muy escabroso. We went down a very rough road. ^▲ off-color, risque Nos contó un chiste escabroso. He told us an off-color story.
• escala (rope) ladder Cayó al romperse la escala. He fell when the ladder broke. ^▲ scale ¿A qué escala está este mapa? What's the scale of this map?—Estaba haciendo escalas en el piano. He was playing scales on the piano.
  ○ hacer escala to make a stop El barco hará escala en Cádiz. The ship'll make a stop at Cadiz.
• escalera stair, stairway Subió las escaleras corriendo. He ran up the stairs. ^▲ ladder Apoye la escalera contra la pared. Put the ladder against the wall.
• escalón [m] step ¿Cuántos escalones tiene esta escalera? How many steps has this staircase?
• escampar to clear up, stop raining Al escampar podremos seguir. We'll be able to go on when it clears up.
• escandalizar to shock, scandalize La noticia escandalizó al público. The news shocked the public.
• escándalo scandal.
• escapada escapade.
  ○ en una escapada in a jiffy Aun no lo he hecho pero lo haré en una escapada. I haven't done it yet, but I'll do it in a jiffy.
• escapar to escape Escapamos de un gran peligro. We escaped from a great danger.
  ○ escaparse to escape, run away Se nos escapó el perro. The dog ran away from us.—Se han escapado unos presos de la cárcel. Some prisoners have escaped from the jail. ^▲ to slip out Siento haberlo dicho, se me escapó. I'm sorry I said it; it slipped out.
• escapatoria escapade, prank Las escapatorias de ese niño preocupan a sus padres. That child's pranks worry his parents.
• escape [m] escape.
  ○ a escape hastily, in a hurry.
• escarbar to scratch, dig, pick.
• escasear to be scarce La gasolina escasea por aquí. Gasoline is scarce around here.
• escasez [f] shortage, scarcity.
• escaso scarce, short La carne está escasa. Meat's scarce.
• escena scene No me hagas escenas. Don't make scenes. ^▲ stage Al levantarse el telón, la escena estaba oscura. When the curtain went up, the stage was dark.
• escenario stage (of a theater).
• esclavo, esclava slave.
• escoba broom.
• escoger to choose, take, select Escogimos el camino más corto. We took the shortest road.
• escolar scholastic. ^▲ [n] student.
• esconder to hide No'sé en dónde escondieron la llave. I don't know where they hid the key.
• escopeta shotgun.
• escribiente [m, f] clerk.
• escribir [irr] to write.
  ○ escribir a máquina to type, typewrite.
• escrito (see escribir) written.
• escritor, escritora writer, author.
• escritorio desk.
• escuadra fleet (naval); carpenter's square.
• escuchar to listen Escuche Ud. un momento. Listen a minute.
• escuela school.
• escultura sculpture.
• escupir to spit Se prohibe escupir. Spitting prohibited.
• escurrir to wring Escurra bien esa ropa antes de tenderla. Wring those clothes well before you hang them up. ^▲ to drain Escurre las espinacas. Drain the spinach.
  ○ escurrir el bulto to sneak away, to make a get-away Escurrió el bulto cuando menos lo pensábamos. He sneaked away when we least expected it. ○ escurrirse to slip Se escurrió en una monda de plátano. He slipped on a banana peel.—El plato se me escurrió de las manos. The plate slipped out of my hands. ^▲ to slip away Se escurrió de la reunión sin que lo viesen. He slipped away from the meeting without anyone seeing him.
• ese, esa; pl esos, esas [adj] that, those ¿Quién es ese chico? Who's that boy?
• ése, ésa; pl ésos, ésas [pron] that, that one, those Esos no son los míos. Those aren't mine.
• esencia essence.
• esfera sphere.
• esfuerzo effort Haré un esfuerzo para terminar el trabajo hoy. I'll make an effort to complete the work today.
• eso [neu pron] that Eso es. That's right.
  ○ eso mismo the same Eso mismo creía yo. That's exactly what I used to think.
• espacio space El avión se perdió en el espacio. The plane disappeared in the sky. ^▲ space, line Escriba Ud. el informe a un espacio. Single-space the report. ^▲ blank, space Deje Ud. un espacio. Leave a blank.
• espada sword; spade (cards).
• espalda back (of the body) Le duele la espalda. His back hurts.
  ○ a espaldas behind one's back Lo hicieron a espaldas de sus padres. They did it behind their parents' back.
• espantapájaros [m sg] scarecrow.
• espantar to scare, frighten Se espanta por muy poca cosa. She gets scared over nothing at all.
• espanto fear, fright.
• espantoso terrible, frightful.
• espárrago asparagus.
• especial [adj] special.
• espectáculo spectacle, show La corrida de toros es un espectáculo muy interesante. Bull fighting's a very interesting spectacle. ^▲ spectacle, scene No des un espectáculo llorando en la calle. Don't make a spectacle of yourself crying in the street.
• espectador, espectadora spectator.
  ○ espectadores [m pl] audience.
• espejo mirror.
• espera wait Después de una espera larga pudimos entrar. We got in after a long wait.
  ○ estar en (or estar a la) espera de to be waiting for Estuvimos en espera del barco muchas horas. We were waiting for the boat for many hours. ○ sala de espera waiting room.
• esperanza hope.
  ○ tener (la) esperanza (de) to hope Tengo esperanza de que venga. I hope he'll come.
• esperar to expect Espero una llamada telefónica esta mañana. I expect a phone call this morning. ^▲ to hope Esperaban que no muriese. They hoped he wouldn't die. ^▲ to wait Espero a mi amiga. I'm waiting for my friend.
• espeso thick No me gusta la sopa espesa. I don't like thick soup. ^▲ heavy Aceite espeso. Heavy oil.
• espesor [m] thickness.
• espesura thickness, density; thicket.
• espía [m, f] spy.
• espiar to spy (on).
• espina thorn Tengo una espina en el dedo. I have a thorn in my finger. ^▲ bone Este pescado tiene muchas espinas. This fish has a lot of bones.
• espinacas [f pl] spinach.
• espinazo spine.
• espíritu [m] spirit, soul.
• espléndido splendid, wonderful, swell Después del baile sirvieron una cena espléndida. They served a wonderful dinner after the dance. ^▲ generous Son espléndidos con sus amigos. They're generous with their friends.
• esponja sponge.
• esposa wife.
  ○ esposas [f pl] handcuffs.
• esposo husband.
• espuela spur.
• espuma foam; lather.
• esqueleto skeleton. ^▲ blank (to be filled out) [Am].
• esquina corner (outward angle) Viven en la casa de la esquina. They live in the house on the corner.
• esquinazo ○ dar esquinazo to evade, avoid Le vi venir pero le di esquinazo. I saw him coming but I avoided him.
• establecer [-zc-] to establish Establecieron un nuevo régimen. They established a new regime.
  ○ establecerse to settle Se estableserán en Méjico. They'll settle in Mexico. ^▲ to set up a business Se establecieron en la Quinta Avenida. They set up a business on Fifth Avenue.
• establecimiento establishment.
• estaca stake (post).
• estacada ○ dejarle a uno en la estacada to leave one holding the bag.
• estación [f] station Fueron a recibirnos a la estación. They went to the station to meet us. ^▲ season En los trópicos hay'sólo dos estaciones. There are only two seasons in the tropics. ^▲ stop [Am] Este tren es directo, no hará muchas estaciones. This is a through train; it won't make many stops.
• estacionar to park (car, etc).
  ○ estacionarse to park ¿Dónde podemos estacionarnos? Where can we park? ^▲ to station oneself.
• estadio stadium.
• estado condition El camino está en mal estado. The road's in bad condition. ^▲ status "¿Estado?" "Soltero." ital status?" "Single." ^▲ state Hizo un viaje por todos los estados del país. He took a trip through all the states in the country. ^▲ state, government Está al servicio del estado. He works for the government.
• estallar to break out, start Temen que estalle una insurrección. They're afraid a revolt'll break out. ^▲ to explode Al estallar la bomba causó muchos daños. The bomb caused a lot of damage when it exploded.
• estampilla postage stamp [Am].
• estanco cigar store.
• estanque [m] pond.
• estanquillo cigar store [Mex].
• estante [m] shelf.
• estar [irr] to be (in a place) La casa está en la colina. The house is on the hill. ^▲ to be (in a condition at a given moment) La sopa está muy caliente. The soup's very hot. ^▲ to look, seem Está Ud. muy linda hoy. You look very pretty today.
  ○ estamos a it's (a date or day of the week) "¿A cuántos estamos?" "Estamos a 5 de junio." "What's the date?" "It's the fifth of June." ○ estar con to have (an illness) Estoy con dolor de cabeza. I have a headache. ○ estar con prisa to be in a hurry No puedo esperar porque estoy con prisa. I can't wait because I'm in a hurry. ○ estar de to act as, act in the capacity of ¿Quién está de telefonista hoy? Who's at the switchboard today? ○ estar de acuerdo to agree Estuvieron de acuerdo en todo. They agreed on everything. ○ estar de viaje to be traveling Estuvimos de viaje durante el verano. We were traveling during the summer. ○ estar para to be about to Criando llegamos estaban para salir. When we arrived they were about to leave. ○ estar por to be in favor of Yo estaba por ir y ellos por quedarse. I was in favor of going and they were in favor of staying.
  || ¡Está bien! or Está bueno. All right.
• estatua statue.
• estatura stature, height.
• este [m] east.
• este, esta; estos, estas [adj] this, these Este chico nos da mucha guerra. This boy gives us a lot of trouble.

éste, ésta; éstos, éstas [pron] this one, those Este fué el que llegó primero. He was the first to arrive.

• estilo style ¿Qué estilo de muebles le gustaría? What style of furniture would you like?
• estimar to value, respect, hold dear Estima mucho a sus amigos. He values his friends highly.
• estirar to stretch, pull Al estirar la tela se rompió. The material tore when it was stretched.
  ○ estirarse to stretch (oneself). ^▲ to stretch Esta tela se estira mucho al lavarla. This cloth stretches a great deal when it's washed.
• esto [neu pron] this Esto no lo entiendo. I don't understand this.
  ○ en esto at this point En esto llegó él. At this point he arrived.
• estofado stew.
• estómago stomach.
• estorbar to block, obstruct Este mueble estorba el paso. This furniture's in the way. ^▲ to bother, be in one's way No se vaya Ud., no nos estorba. Don't go away, you're not bothering us. ^▲ to impede, hinder Las huelgas estorban la producción de guerra. Strikes hinder war production.
• estornudar to sneeze.
• estrechar to take in, make narrower Me tiene Ud. que estrechar la chaqueta. You have to take in my jacket.
  ○ estrechar la mano (a) to shake hands (with).
• estrecho narrow Pasamos por un camino estrecho. We went along a narrow road. ^▲ tight El traje le está muy estrecho. The dress is very tight on her. ^▲ close Su amistad es muy estrecha. Their friendship's very close. ○ [m] strait(s) ¿Ha pasado Ud. por el estrecho de Magallanes? Have you ever gone through the Straits of Magellan?
• estrella star; leading actor or actress.
• estrellado (see *estrellar) ○ cielo estrellado starry sky. ○ huevos estrellados eggs sunny side up.
• estrellar to smash (up) Cualquier día va a estrellar el automóvil. He's going to smash up his car any day.
  ○ estrellarse to crash El avión se estrelló contra la casa. The plane crashed against the house.
• estremecer [-zc-] to shake La detonación estremeció el suelo. The explosion shook the ground.
  ○ estremecerse to start, shudder, tremble Se estremeció al oír el ruido. He started when he heard the noise.
• estremecimiento shudder, shuddering.
• estrenar to open (a play) Mañana estrenarán una nueva obra en el Teatro cional. Tomorrow they'll open a new play at the National Theater. ^▲ to wear for the first time ¿Está Ud. estrenando ese traje? Are you wearing that dress for the first time?
  ○ estrenarse to open (of a play) Esa obra se estrenó en Broadway la semana pasada. That play opened on Broadway last week.
• estropear to ruin, damage Los niños han estropeado el radio. The boys have ruined the radio. ^▲ to spoil Su dimisión estropeó nuestros planes. His resignation spoiled our plans.
  ○ estropearse to be out of order La plancha eléctrica se ha estropeado. The electric iron's out of order.
• estruendo deafening noise.
• estudiante [m, f] student.
• estudiar to study.
• estufa stove, heater.
• estupendo wonderful Anoche vi una película estupenda. I saw a wonderful movie last night.
• estupidez [f] stupidity.
• estúpido stupid. ^▲ [m] stupid person.
• etcétera, etc and so forth, etc.
• éter [m] ether.
• eterno eternal, endless.
• etiqueta label Lea Ud. lo que dice la etiqueta. Read what's on the label.
  ○ de etiqueta formal Habrá un baile de etiqueta en el Casino. There'll be a formal dance at the Casino.
• evangelio gospel.
• evitar to avoid Evitaba encontrarse con él. He avoided meeting him. ^▲ to prevent Lograron evitar la explosión. They succeeded in preventing the explosion.
• exactitud [f] accuracy Este trabajo está hecho con mucha exactitud. This work's very accurately done. ^▲ punctuality La exactitud es su cualidad característica. Punctuality is his distinguishing characteristic.
• exacto exact, correct La cuenta está exacta, gracias. The bill's correct, thank you. ^▲ accurate Hizo un relato exacto. He gave an accurate report.
• exagerar to exaggerate No le puedo creer porque siempre exagera. I can't believe him because he always exaggerates.
• examen [m] examination, test.
• examinar to inspect No han examinado todavía el equipaje. They haven't inspected the baggage yet. ^▲ to examine El médico examinó al enfermo. The doctor examined the patient. ^▲ to observe Examinaba con mucha atención todos sus movimientos. He observed all his movements closely.
  ○ examinarse to be examined, take (an) examination(s) Tendrán que examinarse de español e inglés. They'll have to take examinations in Spanish and English.
• excelente excellent. ^▲ fine ¡Excelente! Iremos juntos. Fine! We'll go together.
• excepción [f] exception.
• excursión [f] excursion, picnic.
• excusa excuse.
• excusado washroom, toilet.
• excusar to excuse, pardon Debe Ud. excusar sus faltas. You should excuse his faults. ^▲ to decline Excusó la invitación porque no le gustaba la gente. He declined the invitation because he didn't like the people.
  ○ excusarse to apologize Si no va tendrá Ud. que excusarse. If you don't go you'll have to apologize.
• exhibición [f] exhibition, showing [Am].
• exhibir to exhibit, show.
• exigir to require Exigen que se pague por adelantado. Payment is required in advance. ^▲ to demand Le exigieron que declarase. They demanded that he testify.
• existencia existence, life Me amarga la existencia. He makes my life miserable. ^▲ stock Tenían grandes existencias de mercadería. They had a large stock of merchandise.
• éxito success El éxito de la empresa sorprendió a todos. The success of the enterprise astonished everybody.
• exótico foreign, exotic.
• experiencia experience No tengo experiencia en este trabajo. I haven't any experience in this work.
• experto expert, skilled.
• expirar to expire El plazo del contrato expira hoy. The contract expires today.
• explicar to explain ¡Déjeme Ud. que se lo explique! Let me explain it to you!
  ○ explicarse to understand No puedo explicarme lo ocurrido. I can't understand what happened.
• explorador [m] explorer; Boy Scout.
• explosión [f] explosion, blast.
• explotar to work, exploit Están explotando una mina de plata. They're working a silver mine. ^▲ to exploit, use Explotaba siempre a sus amigos. He was always using his friends.
• exponer [irr] to expose No hay que exponer esto al sol. This mustn't be exposed to the sun. ^▲ to explain Exponga Ud. su idea con más claridad.

Explain your idea more clearly.
○ exponerse to expose oneself Se expone Ud. a que le critiquen mucho. You're exposing yourself to a lot of criticism.

• exportación [f] export Trabaja en una oficina de exportación. He works in an export house.
• exportar to export.
• exposición [f] exhibition; risk.
• expresar to express.
  ○ expresarse to express oneself, speak Se expresa con mucha corrección. He expresses himself very correctly.
• expresión [f] expression.
• expresivo affectionate Escribió una carta muy expresiva. He wrote a very affectionate letter. ^▲ expressive Tiene facciones muy expresivas. She has very expressive features.
• expreso ○ tren expreso express train.
• expuesto (see exponer) exhibited, on display Esos libros estaban expuestos en el escaparate. Those books were on display in the window. ^▲ dangerous En aquel tiempo era muy expuesto viajar. Traveling was very dangerous at that time.
• expulsar to expel.
• exquisito delicious El pastel está exquisito. The pie's delicious. ^▲ exquisite Tiene un gusto exquisito para vestir. She has exquisite taste in clothes.
• extender [rad-ch I] to spread out, extend Extendieron el mapa sobre la mesa. They spread the map out on the table. ^▲ to issue La biblioteca le extenderá una tarjeta de lector. The library will issue you a reader's card. ^▲ to enlarge Extenderán el campo de aterrizaje. They'll enlarge the landing field. ^▲ to expand Han extendido sus negocios por todo el país. They've expanded their business throughout the country.
  ○ extenderse to spread, become common or widespread Se ha extendido mucho esa costumbre. That custom's become very widespread.
• exterior [adj; m] outside El exterior de la casa estaba muy deteriorado. The outside of the house was very run down.
• externo external Para uso externo solamente. For external use only.
• extra [adv] extra El desayuno se paga extra. Extra charge for breakfast. ^▲ [f] extra [Am] ¿Leyó Ud. la extra de esta mañana? Did you read this morning's extra?
• extranjero foreign Hablaban una lengua extranjera. They spoke a foreign language. ^▲ [n] foreigner El hotel está lleno de extranjeros. The hotel's full of foreigners.
  ○ en el extranjero abroad Ha vivido mucho tiempo en el extranjero. He's lived abroad for a long time.
• extrañar to miss Extraño mucho a mi madre. I miss my mother very much.
  ○ extrañarle a uno to seem strange (to) Me extraña que no haya llegado aún. It seems strange to me that he hasn't arrived yet.
• extraño strange Tiene un nombre extraño. He has a strange name. ^▲ [n] stranger No lo conozco, es un extraño. I don't know him; he's a stranger.
• extraordinario extraordinary.
• extravagante queer, unusual.
• extraviarse to be off course, get lost or misplaced Los aviadores se extraviaron. The aviators were off their course.
• extremo end Siéntese Ud. al extremo de la mesa. Sit at the end of the table.