extender
/eɡstendeɾ/from spelling rules
To extend in Spanish is extender.
The verb extender is used to cause something to increase in extent. This includes physical space, such as extender la zona de no fumadores (to extend a no-smoking area) or spreading something out like a cloth on a table. It is also used in specific phrases like extender una invitación (extending an invitation), extender un plazo (extending a deadline) and extender una garantía (extending a warranty).
Meaning: to cause to increase in extent (verb)
Which one should you use?
While extender can refer to increasing a duration or an area, it is also used to mean spreading something out, such as spreading a cloth on a table. For strictly time-based durations like a meeting or a person's life, the verb prolongar is more appropriate.
How does it change in a sentence?
The past participle of extender is extendido, extendida, extendidos or extendidas. The related noun form of this verb is extensión.
How do you pronounce it?
/eɡstendeɾ/
What mistakes should you avoid?
English speakers sometimes confuse extender with prolongar. Use extender for physical space or surfaces, and use prolongar for time-based durations such as a meeting or a life.
Did you know?
- In legal or formal Spanish, extender can be used to mean 'to draw up' or 'to write' a document, such as extender un acta (to draw up a record).
- The verb extender is used when spreading butter or jam on toast, where English would use 'spread'.
- The phrase extender la mano describes the physical act of reaching out, but it is often used as a metaphor for offering help or seeking a truce.
Examples in context
- Quisiera extender el visado, por favor.Please extend this visa.This sentence is useful for requesting a visa extension using extender.Tatoeba #340029 by tatoerique, translation #34797 by CM
- Ella quiere extender la zona de no fumadores.She wants to extend the no-smoking area.This sentence shows how to describe increasing the size of an area using extender.Tatoeba #925446 by burntsoap, translation #313285 by Swift
- Me gustaría extender mi estancia hasta el domingo.I'd like to extend my stay through Sunday.This sentence demonstrates extending the duration of a stay using extender.Tatoeba #1463191 by nullsoul9, translation #281880 by CK
- Por favor, ¿puede extender este contrato por una semana más?Please, can you extend this contract for one more week?
- Necesitaría que me amplíen el plazo de entrega hasta el viernes próximo.I would need you to extend the delivery deadline until next Friday.
Example conversation
Elena and Mateo are discussing the office layout.
- ElenaTenemos que extender la mesa para la reunión.We need to extend the table for the meeting.
- Mateo¿Podemos extender también el área de la cafetería?Can we extend the cafeteria area too?
- ElenaSería difícil extender el espacio con este presupuesto.It would be difficult to extend the space with this budget.
- MateoTienes razón, Elena, mejor no lo hagamos.You're right, Elena, better not to do it.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
