Spanish word

colonizar

Pronunciation

IPA/koloniˈθaɾ/

Meaning

  • verbcolonize

Example

Los europeos colonizaron América en siglos pasados.

The Europeans colonized America centuries ago.

Illustration for colonizar (colonize)

More examples

Durante siglos, las potencias europeas colonizaron África para controlar recursos.

For centuries, European powers colonized Africa to control resources.

Core concept

Founding colonies and imposing economic, legal, and social control over a territory.

Common phrases

  • colonizar África

    colonize Africa

  • colonizar un país

    colonize a country

Similar words

establecer: Creates and sets up institutions, rules, or organizations in a place.
fundar: Creates a city, institution, or organization from the start.
asentar: Settles people in a place, establishing a community and daily life.
ocupar: Takes possession of land or a building and uses or holds it.

Definition in Spanish

Fundar colonias en un territorio y establecer control económico, social o jurídico desde una potencia externa.

Word origin

The verb derives from Latin colonizare 'to found colonies', built on colonus 'tenant farmer or settler' and ultimately from Greek kolōnos.

Usage tips

  • Although cognate with English colonize, colonizar usually implies external domination or historical colonization, so for ordinary moving or settling prefer establecerse or mudarse.

Other meanings

  • settleverb

Opposites

Related words

Word lists with this word