plantar
Lemma Details
Translation: to plant; to set; to place; to establish; to position
Part of Speech: verb
Etymology: Derived from Latin 'plantare' meaning 'to plant, fix in place'. The Latin term comes from 'planta' meaning 'sprout, shoot, cutting' and also 'sole of the foot' (as something that is placed firmly on the ground). This connection between planting and placing firmly is preserved in the Spanish verb, which has both agricultural and positional meanings. The English cognate 'plant' shares the same Latin root, though Spanish 'plantar' has retained broader meanings related to positioning and establishing.
Commonality: 80%
Guessability: 90%
Register: neutral
Example Usage
Vamos a plantar tomates en el jardín.
We're going to plant tomatoes in the garden.
El gobierno planea plantar mil árboles en la ciudad.
The government plans to plant a thousand trees in the city.
Plantó la bandera en la cima de la montaña.
He planted the flag at the top of the mountain.
Tenemos que plantar cara a este problema.
We have to stand up to this problem.
Se plantó frente a la puerta y no dejó entrar a nadie.
He positioned himself in front of the door and didn't let anyone in.
Mnemonics
- Think of 'plant' in English - they share the same root and similar meaning.
- Imagine firmly placing ('planting') your feet on the ground to remember the positioning sense.
- The 'plant-ar' ending indicates it's a verb about doing something with plants.
Related Words, Phrases & Idioms
Synonyms
Antonyms
Cultural Context
In Spanish-speaking agricultural communities, 'plantar' has significant cultural importance related to farming traditions. The expression 'plantar cara' (literally 'to plant one's face') is a common idiom meaning to confront or stand up to someone, showing how the concept of planting is metaphorically extended to standing firm in confrontation.
Easily Confused With
Explanation: While 'plantar' means 'to plant' or 'to place', 'platicar' means 'to chat' or 'to converse'. They look somewhat similar but have completely different meanings.
Notes: 'Platicar' is more commonly used in Mexico and parts of Central America, while 'plantar' is universal in Spanish-speaking countries.
Mnemonic: 'Plantar' has 'plant' in it, while 'platicar' has 'plática' (conversation) in it.
Explanation: 'Plantar' means to physically plant or position something, while 'plantear' means to pose, propose, or raise (an issue, question, etc.).
Notes: Both verbs share the same Latin root but have evolved to cover different semantic domains.
Mnemonic: 'Plantear' adds 'e' to suggest expressing or putting forth ideas, while 'plantar' is about physical planting.