Spanish word

sembrar

Pronunciation

IPA/semˈbɾaɾ/

Meaning

  • verbsow

Example

Mañana vamos a sembrar semillas en el huerto.

Tomorrow we're going to sow seeds in the garden.

Illustration for sembrar (sow)

More examples

Un gesto amable sembró esperanza entre ellos.

A kind gesture sowed hope among them.

Core concept

Dropping seeds into furrows by hand or machine for germination.

Common phrases

  • sembrar semillas

    sow seeds

  • sembrar dudas

    sow doubts

Similar words

plantar: Setting seedlings or bulbs into soil to establish them and begin growth.
esparcir: Scattering seeds widely and thinly across the ground.
cultivar: Tending plants over time to encourage their growth and eventual harvest.
regar: Giving water to plants to keep them alive and support growth.

Definition in Spanish

Extender o colocar semillas en el suelo con la intención de que germinen y crezcan.

Word origin

From Latin seminare 'to sow' (from semen 'seed'), with the verb developing specifically to mean placing seeds so they can grow.

Usage tips

  • When context implies ideas or feelings rather than literal seeds, sembrar commonly carries a figurative meaning such as 'to sow doubt' or 'to instill hope'.

Other meanings

  • plantverb
  • instillverb

Opposites

Related words

  • siembrasowingnoun
  • sembradoplantedadjective

Word lists with this word