entretener
/entɾeteˈneɾ/
To entertain in Spanish is to entretener. Wiktionary also lists divertir and bayear.
Meaning: to amuse (verb)
Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA |
|---|---|
| entretener | /entɾeteˈneɾ/ |
| divertir | /dibeɾˈtiɾ/ |
| bayear | /baʝeaɾ/ (from spelling rules) |
The term is used to describe the act of amusing someone or keeping them occupied. Depending on the context, it can mean providing amusement or simply passing the time to keep someone busy.
Which one should you use?
While entretener often carries the nuance of keeping someone occupied or passing the time, divertir is the more common verb used when the specific intent is to amuse someone or to have fun.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In certain regions and contexts, the verb distraer can be used to convey the sense of entertaining.
How does it change in a sentence?
entretener is a stem-changing verb. This means the e in the stem changes to ie in many conjugated forms, such as entretiene.
How do you pronounce it?
/entɾeteˈneɾ/
Did you know?
- Unlike English, where 'entertain' can mean considering an idea, Spanish uses considerar or estudiar for this mental process.
- The verb divertir comes from the Latin word 'divertere', which means 'to turn away'. This is the same root as the English word 'divert'.
- In Spanish, entretener literally breaks down into entre for 'between' and tener for 'to hold', suggesting the act of holding someone's attention.
Examples in context
- Ahora permíteme entretenerte con música.Now let me entertain you with music.This sentence shows how to use entretener when offering to entertain someone with music.Tatoeba #1872027 by marcelostockle, translation #43009 by jakov
- El anfitrión se esforzó por entretener a sus invitados durante toda la noche.The host made an effort to entertain his guests all night long.
- El parque de diversiones brinda entretenimiento para toda la familia.The amusement park provides entertainment for the whole family.
- La fiesta fue genial, ¡nos la pasamos muy bien todos juntos!The party was great, we all had a good time together!
- El payaso hizo reír a los niños con sus bromas y trucos.The clown entertained the children with his jokes and tricks.
- Las ocurrencias del monologuista alegraron a todos los presentes.The comedian's jokes cheered up everyone in the audience.
- No es fácil entretener a los niños.It is not easy to amuse the children.
- El mago intentará entretener al público.The magician will try to amuse the audience.
Example conversation
María and Daniel are discussing how to keep their guests happy at a party.
- MaríaNo sé cómo entretener a los invitados.I don't know how to entertain the guests.
- DanielPodemos poner música y jugar juegos.We can put on music and play games.
- MaríaEs una buena idea, Daniel.That is a good idea, Daniel.
- DanielAsí todos se divertirán mucho.That way everyone will have a lot of fun.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “entertain” translations and entries entretener, divertir, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries divertir, entretener, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
