encierra en un círculo la palabra
/enθjera en un θiɾkulo la palabɾa/from spelling rules
To circle the word in Spanish, use encierra en un círculo la palabra.
This phrase is used to instruct someone to draw a circle around a specific word on a page.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase encierra en un círculo literally means enclose in a circle.
Which one should you use?
You can also use the phrase rodea la palabra con un círculo, which literally means surround the word with a circle.
How does it change in a sentence?
The default form encierra uses the informal imperative (tú) form of the verb encerrar.
How do you pronounce it?
/enθjera en un θiɾkulo la palabɾa/
Did you know?
- While you are circling a word, you are technically using the verb encerrar, which is the same verb used when you 'lock up' a prisoner or 'enclose' something in a container.
- The word palabra shares a surprising ancestor with the English word 'parable' and 'palaver', originating from the Greek 'parabolḗ' which originally meant a 'comparison'.
- In some Spanish-speaking regions, teachers might simply say encierra without mentioning the circle, and students will instinctively know to draw a circle around the answer.
Examples in context
- Encierra las respuestas correctas en el crucigrama.Circle the correct answers in the crossword puzzle.
- Encierra en un círculo la palabra correcta.Circle the correct word.
- Por favor, encierra en un círculo la palabra que no encaja.Please, circle the word that does not fit.
Example conversation
A teacher and a student are reviewing a worksheet.
- AlejandroAlejandro, encierra en un círculo la palabra subrayada.Alejandro, circle the underlined word.
- MaríaYa lo hice, María.I already did it, María.
- Alejandro¿Estás seguro de que es esa?Are you sure it is that one?
- MaríaSí, es la única que encaja.Yes, it's the only one that fits.
