abrochar
/abɾoˈt͡ʃaɾ/
The English phrase 'do up' can be translated into Spanish as abrochar.
abrochar is used specifically for fastening things like buttons, zippers or buckles. If you mean 'do up' in the sense of giving something an upgrade or sprucing it up, the colloquial expression hacerle una mejora is used instead.
How do you pronounce it?
/abɾoˈtʃaɾ/
Did you know?
- The word broche can refer to a clothing fastener but is also used to describe the 'closing' or finale of an event, such as el broche de oro for a perfect ending.
- The root of abrochar is connected to the Latin word brocca, which refers to a 'drill' or 'spike'.
- Unlike English, where 'do up' can refer to renovating a house, abrochar is strictly physical. Using it for a building would sound like you are trying to button the walls.
Examples in context
- Necesitamos reparar la fachada del edificio antes de la inauguración.We need to do up the building facade before the inauguration.
- Julieta siempre se arregla mucho para salir a cenar.Julieta always does herself up a lot when going out for dinner.
- Este fin de semana voy a hacerle una mejora a mi bicicleta.This weekend, I'm going to do up my bike.
- Voy a arreglar mi jardín antes de la fiesta.I'm going to do up my garden before the party.
- Abróchate la chaqueta.Button up your jacket.
- No puedo abrochar este botón.I cannot do up this button.
- ¿Me ayudas a abrochar la chaqueta?Can you help me do up my jacket?
- Debes abrocharte bien la camisa.You must do up your shirt properly.
Example conversation
Lucía and Mateo are getting ready to go out for dinner.
- LucíaMateo, ¿me ayudas a abrochar el abrigo?Mateo, can you help me do up my coat?
- MateoClaro, Lucía, deja que te lo abroche.Of course, Lucía, let me do it up for you.
- LucíaGracias, es que los botones son muy pequeños.Thanks, it's just that the buttons are very small.
- MateoNo hay problema, ya está listo.No problem, it is done now.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry abrochar, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries abrochar, CC BY-SA 4.0.
