Spanish word

liar

Pronunciation

IPA/ljaɾ/

Meaning

  • verbroll

Example

Voy a liar un cigarrillo.

I'm going to roll a cigarette.

Illustration for liar (roll)

More examples

No quiero liarte en ese problema.

I don't want to involve you in that problem.

Core concept

Material wound around an object to enclose or secure it.

Common phrases

  • liar a alguien

    involve someone

  • liar un cigarrillo

    roll a cigarette

Similar words

enrollar: Rolls a sheet from the edge into a narrow, tube-shaped spiral.
envolver: Wraps an object so its exterior is completely covered by paper or fabric.
forrar: Covers furniture or books with cloth or paper as a protective outer layer.

Definition in Spanish

Colocar vueltas de un material alrededor de algo para envolverlo o sujetarlo; por extensión coloquial, implicar a alguien o preparar un cigarrillo.

Word origin

The verb derives from Old French lier and ultimately from Latin ligare 'to bind', originally meaning to tie and later extended to wrapping and to involving someone.

Usage tips

  • Spanish liar is unrelated to English liar (a person who lies) and the verb often appears reflexively as liarse meaning to get tangled or become involved.

Other meanings

  • wrapverb
  • wind aroundverb
  • involveverb

Opposites

  • desenredaruntangleverb

Related words

  • líomessnoun
  • liadotroublesomeadjective

Word lists with this word