Spanish Conversation · Level 65
60 words
Spanish word
retratar
Pronunciation
IPA/retɾaˈtaɾ/
Meaning
- verbportray
Example
El libro retrata la vida en la ciudad.
The book portrays life in the city.
More examples
El periodista retrató una escena urbana durante la protesta.
The journalist portrayed an urban scene during the protest.
Core concept
The act of creating a likeness (by painting, photographing, or describing) to show who someone is or what a situation is like.
Common phrases
retratar una escena urbana
portray an urban scene
retratar la vida cotidiana
portray everyday life
Similar words
describir: Describes a person or thing using words to convey appearance, features, or traits.
mostrar: Displays or presents something so others can see or inspect it.
Definition in Spanish
Hacer un retrato, ya sea pintado, fotografiado o narrado, que muestre cómo es alguien o cómo es una situación.
Word origin
Formed from retrato (portrait), borrowed through Italian ritratto from Latin roots related to trahere 'to draw', giving the verb meaning 'to make a portrait or portray'.
Usage tips
- When referring to photos, speakers often say sacar un retrato or tomar una foto, while retratar stresses a deliberate depiction or interpretation rather than a casual snapshot.
Other meanings
- depictverb
- photographverb
Opposites
- distorsionardistortverb
Related words
- retratoportraitnoun
- retratistaportrait painternoun