Don Pablo: The Multi-Use Verb Echar

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Apr

2011

Don Pablo: The Multi-Use Verb Echar

Written by Don Pablo

Spanish Matters

The Spanish verb echar is a kind of all-purpose verb, in that it seems to mean almost anything you want it to. Not really! However, according to the Collins Spanish Dictionary echar has 26 meanings or uses, not to mention featuring in a number of idiomatic expressions.

Echar can mean to throw, to put, to fill up (with petrol), to pour (a drink), to serve (food or drink), to let out, to expel, to produce, to close, to move, to push, to send, to post (a letter), to reckon, to give, to make, to have, to show (a film or on TV), to lay (concrete), to mate (animals). As a reflexive verb it means to throw oneself, to lie down, to put on, to start and to get. Wow!

Some useful examples are: echar basura - to throw away the rubbish; echar carbón a la lumbre - to put coal on the fire; echar mantequilla en el pan - to butter bread; echar gasolina - to fill up with petrol; echar el freno –to brake; echar la llave – to lock the door; and echarse una siestecita – to have a little nap.

Some examples in use are:

¡Échame más vino, porfa! - Pour me some more wine, please!

Mi mujer me echó de casa – My wife threw me out

Le han echado del colegio – He’s been expelled from school

La echaron a María del trabajo – Maria’s been sacked

¿Dónde puedo echar esta postal? – Where can I post this card?

¿Cuántos años le echas? – How old do you reckon he is?

¿Qué echan en el cine? – What’s on at the cinema?

Se echó a reír – He burst out laughing

Voy a echarme un rato – I’m going to lay down for a bit

¡Échense para atrás! – Move back!

Pepe se echó a correr – Pepe broke into a run

Idiomatic expressions include: echar abajo – to break down (a door, a barrier); echar en cara – to reproach, to accuse; echar la culpa – to blame; echar en falta/echar de menos – to miss; echar a perder – to waste, spoil, ruin (food, an opportunity); echar raíces – to take root; to put down roots; echar suertes – to draw lots; to toss a coin

And on a coarser note echar un polvo means to have a shag or a screw, however, the expression Ella está para un buen polvo is less vulgar. It simply means “She’s hot stuff!”

Don Pablo is Paul Whitelock, a graduate in Spanish and German, a retired Ofsted school inspector and former UK languages teacher. He now lives with his German wife near Ronda and is a freelance journalist, translator and interpreter. Paul can be contacted by email at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or by telephone on (+34) 952 87 40 38 or (+34) 636 52 75 16. www.a1-solutions-spain.com

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Don Pablo: The Multi-Use Verb Echar
Saturday, 23 April 2011
� The Spanish verb echar is a kind of all-purpose verb, in that it seems to mean almost anything you want it to. Not really! However,...

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