Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA |
|---|---|
| arreglar | /areˈɡlaɾ/ |
| acotejar | /akoteˈxaɾ/ |
Arreglar is used to set up, organise or put things in order. It can also refer to preparing or arranging things in advance through preparar, or physically arranging and accommodating things through acomodar. When you are arranging activities, plans or tasks with others, you might use coordinar.
Which one should you use?
While arreglar can mean to arrange or organise, it is very frequently used to mean 'to fix' or 'to repair' something that is broken. If you specifically mean 'to arrange' in the sense of planning an event or organising a system, organizar is often a more precise synonym. For arranging appointments, agreements or deals, use the formal verb concertar. For making plans or arranging future activities, you can use hacer planes.
How does it change in a sentence?
The reflexive form arreglarse is commonly used to mean 'to get ready' or 'to fix one's appearance', such as hair or clothes.
How do you pronounce it?
/areˈɡlaɾ/
Did you know?
- In many Spanish-speaking contexts, if you want to 'arrange' a meeting or a deal, using arreglar can sound much more informal or even slightly shady compared to the professional concertar.
- The verb arreglar is a linguistic descendant of the Latin word regula, which means 'rule' or 'straight line'.
- Because arreglar also means 'to fix', you can use it to describe 'fixing' a problematic social situation or 'arranging' a compromise through a deal.
Examples in context
- Tengo que arreglarme el pelo.I have to arrange my hair.This sentence shows the use of the reflexive form arreglar for hair.Tatoeba #2586994 by wallebot, translation #2586991 by Hybrid
- Lo arreglaré.I'll arrange it.This sentence demonstrates a simple future arrangement using arreglar.Tatoeba #4317594 by pchamorro, translation #2247660 by CK
- Yo quisiera aprender a arreglar flores.I'd like to learn how to arrange flowers.This sentence shows how to use arreglar when talking about arranging flowers.Tatoeba #4408847 by mervert1, translation #271736 by CK
- Debemos organizar una reunión para discutir el proyecto.We must arrange a meeting to discuss the project.
- Voy a concertar una cita con el cliente para cerrar el trato.I'm going to arrange a meeting with the client to close the deal.
- Tenemos que coordinar los horarios para que todos puedan participar en la capacitación.We need to arrange the schedules so that everyone can participate in the training.
- ¿Quedamos en el café a las 6?Shall we arrange to meet at the café at 6?
- Vamos a hacer planes para las vacaciones de verano.We are going to make plans for the summer vacation.
- Estoy preparando una sorpresa para su cumpleaños.I am arranging a surprise for his/her birthday.
- Voy a acomodar los muebles para dar más espacio.I'm going to arrange the furniture to create more space.
- 2 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
In a shared office space.
- ElenaAlejandro, ¿puedes arreglar estos papeles?Alejandro, can you organize these papers?
- AlejandroSí, Elena, los ordenaré ahora mismo.Yes, Elena, I will put them in order right now.
- ElenaGracias, el escritorio se ve mejor.Thanks, the desk looks better.
- AlejandroDe nada, me gusta el orden.You're welcome, I like order.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “arrange” translations and entries arreglar, acotejar, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries arreglar, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
