Spanish Conversation · Level 99
60 words
Spanish word
encoger
Pronunciation
IPA/eŋkoˈxeɾ/
Meaning
- verbshrug
Example
Ella encoge los hombros al escuchar la noticia.
She shrugs her shoulders when she hears the news.
More examples
La camiseta se encogió en la lavadora.
The T-shirt shrank in the washing machine.
Core concept
A person making a small inward bodily contraction.
Common phrases
encogerse de hombros
shrug one's shoulders
encoger la ropa
shrink clothing
encoger el suéter
shrink the sweater
Similar words
encogerse: Shoulders and upper body draw inward so the body looks smaller, often from shyness or embarrassment.
Definition in Spanish
Contraer o juntar una parte del cuerpo, especialmente los hombros, para expresar duda o indiferencia; por extensión, disminuir el tamaño de objetos o tejidos.
Word origin
Formed from en- plus coger and originally describing a pulled-in bodily contraction, with the figurative sense 'decrease in size' developing later.
Usage tips
- Both encoger los hombros and encogerse de hombros appear in Spanish, but the reflexive encogerse de hombros is especially common in everyday speech.