encerrar
Lemma Details
Translation: to lock up; to enclose; to confine; to shut in
Part of Speech: verb
Etymology: From Latin 'in' (in) + 'cirrus' (circle), related to English 'circle' and 'circus'
Commonality: 70%
Guessability: 40%
Register: neutral
Mnemonics
- Think of 'en' (in) + 'cerrar' (to close) = to close something in
- Remember 'circle' - enclosing something in a circular space
Related Words, Phrases & Idioms
Example Wordforms
Cultural Context
Often used in contexts of both physical confinement and metaphorical containment
Easily Confused With
Explanation: While 'cerrar' means simply 'to close', 'encerrar' implies confining or enclosing something within
Confused word:
Cerró la puerta.
He closed the door.
Notes: The prefix 'en-' changes the meaning from simple closing to containment
Mnemonic: 'En-' adds the meaning of 'in/inside' to 'cerrar'