Spanish Conversation · Level 87
60 words
Spanish word
operar
Pronunciation
IPA/opeˈɾaɾ/
Meaning
- verboperate
Example
¿Puedes operar la máquina?
Can you operate the machine?
More examples
La tienda opera todos los días.
The shop operates every day.
Core concept
Starting or running a system by activating its controls.
Common phrases
operar la máquina
operate the machine
operar un aparato
operate a device
operar correctamente
operate correctly
Similar words
manejar: Guides or steers a vehicle or machine by direct manual handling to control movement.
utilizar: Uses a tool, device, or machine for its intended purpose or a particular task.
poner en marcha: Starts up a machine or device, setting it into motion so it can run.
accionar: Moves a switch or lever to activate a mechanism or make equipment work.
Definition in Spanish
Poner en funcionamiento o controlar una máquina, aparato o sistema; también realizar una intervención quirúrgica.
Word origin
From Latin operari 'to work', Spanish retained the core idea 'to set something to work', which explains its use for starting or controlling systems as well as for surgical intervention.
Usage tips
- Use funcionar to say that something 'works' (El motor funciona) because operar usually implies active control or a technical/medical action rather than simple functioning.