Spanish Conversation · Level 195
15 words
Spanish word
entretener
Pronunciation
IPA/entɾeteˈneɾ/
Meaning
- verbentertain
Example
La película entretiene al público.
The movie entertains the audience.
More examples
Puedes entretener a los niños con juegos sencillos.
You can entertain the children with simple games.
Core concept
A performer keeping an audience's attention.
Common phrases
entretener a los niños
entertain the children
entretener al público
entertain the audience
Similar words
divertir: Causes someone to feel amusement or pleasure.
distraer: Draws someone's attention away toward something else.
amenizar: Brightens a social setting and lifts the mood.
ocupar: Occupies someone's time or thoughts with an activity or concern.
Definition in Spanish
Causar diversión o interés en alguien, ocupar su atención o su tiempo; en forma reflexiva (entretenerse) indicar pasar el tiempo de manera agradable.
Word origin
From Latin inter- 'between' + tenēre 'to hold', the verb developed into Spanish (and English entertain) with the core idea of 'holding' someone's attention or amusing them.
Usage tips
- With a direct object, entretener a alguien usually means to amuse or hold someone's attention, while the reflexive entretenerse means to pass the time.
Other meanings
- pass the timeverb
- detainverb
Opposites
- aburrirboreverb
Related words
- entretenimientoentertainmentnoun
- entretenidoentertainingadjective