absorber
/absoɾˈbeɾ/
The English phrase absorb is translated into Spanish as absorber.
The verb absorber is used to describe the act of sucking up or drinking in a substance, such as liquid or to describe being completely occupied by something like attention or information.
Meaning: to suck up or drink in (verb)
Which one should you use?
When you are specifically referring to the absorption of knowledge or information, the more formal term asimilar is often used instead of absorber. If you want to express the idea of becoming engrossed or absorbed in something using an informal expression, you can use meterse en.
How does it change in a sentence?
The gerund form of the verb is absorbiendo (absorbing). In the past tense, the third-person singular preterite form is absorbió (he/she/it absorbed). If you need to use the third-person singular present subjunctive, the form is absorba.
How do you pronounce it?
/absoɾˈbeɾ/
Did you know?
- While English speakers often say they 'soak up' information, a Spanish speaker might use the verb empaparse instead, which literally means 'to soak oneself' in a liquid.
- In some Latin American countries, absorber can be used colloquially to describe someone who is an emotional vampire or 'drains' the energy of others.
- While absorber describes taking something in, Spanish has no single word for 'absorbent'. Instead, it uses the adjective absorbente, which can also mean 'fascinating'.
Examples in context
- El papel puede absorber el agua.Paper can absorb water.This sentence shows how paper can absorb water using absorber.Tatoeba #10911344 by Eremon, translation #9044823 by Amastan
- No logro absorber tanta información.I can't absorb that much information.This sentence demonstrates using absorber in the context of absorbing information.Tatoeba #1674317 by hayastan, translation #13857933 by rul
- Un buen libro puede absorber completamente tu atención, hasta el extremo de que olvides lo que te rodea e incluso tu propia existencia.A good book can completely absorb your attention, to the extent that you forget your surroundings and even your existence.This sentence illustrates how a book can absorb one's attention using absorber.Tatoeba #1747893 by teskmon, translation #1269255 by sundown
- El papel absorbe el aguaThe paper absorbs the water
- La esponja sorbe la humedadThe sponge absorbs moisture
- Es importante asimilar los conceptos teóricosIt is important to absorb the theoretical concepts
- Me meto en las historias de mis libros favoritosI get absorbed in the stories of my favorite books
- Las plantas absorben la luz del sol para realizar la fotosíntesisPlants absorb sunlight to carry out photosynthesis
- La esponja sorbe el agua derramada en la mesaThe sponge absorbs the water spilled on the table
- Es importante asimilar todos los conceptos de la lección antes del examenIt is important to absorb all the lesson's concepts before the exam
- Me meto en cada partido de fútbol como si estuviera jugandoI get absorbed in each soccer match as if I were playing
Example conversation
Elena and Alejandro are cleaning a spill in the kitchen.
- Elena¡Mira cuánta agua hay en el suelo!Look how much water is on the floor!
- AlejandroUsa esta esponja para absorber el líquido.Use this sponge to absorb the liquid.
- ElenaLa esponja ya no puede absorber más.The sponge cannot absorb any more.
- AlejandroEntonces busca un trapo limpio, Elena.Then look for a clean cloth, Elena.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “absorb” translations and entries absorber, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
