Spanish Conversation · Level 17
89 words
Spanish word
encerrar
Pronunciation
IPA/enθeˈraɾ/
Meaning
- verblock in
Example
No me encierres en esa habitación.
Don't lock me in that room.
More examples
Se encerró en su cuarto después de la discusión.
He locked himself in his room after the argument.
Core concept
Person shut inside a room with the door barred.
Common phrases
encerrarse en su cuarto
lock oneself in one's room
encerrar en prisión
imprison
encerrar a los animales
confine the animals
Similar words
cerrar: Closes an opening like a door or box by shutting its parts together to seal it.
meter: Inserts a person or object into an interior space or container.
confinar: Contains a person or thing within set boundaries and limits their movement.
encarcelar: Legally confines someone in prison as punishment, taking away freedom.
Definition in Spanish
Impedir que alguien salga de un lugar metiéndolo dentro o cerrando la salida.
Word origin
From prefix en- plus cerrar, with cerrar from Latin serrare meaning 'to close' or 'bolt', so encerrar denotes causing someone or something to be shut in.
Usage tips
- Use encerrarse when the subject locks themselves in and encerrar a alguien when confining another person, and note that in commands or negatives it often sounds strong or harsh.