encaramado
/enkaɾamado/from spelling rules
The English phrase perched can be translated into Spanish as encaramado.
encaramado describes someone or something sitting or resting on a high or narrow edge. This applies to both animals, such as a bird on a branch and people, such as a child sitting on a high stool. The most common and general translation for perched in Spanish is actually posado.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Spain, the word arrellanado/a can be used to describe someone in a relaxed and comfortable position, which is similar to the feeling of being perched.
How does it change in a sentence?
The adjective encaramado must agree in both gender and number with the subject it describes. Use encaramada for feminine subjects, encaramados for masculine plural subjects and encaramadas for feminine plural subjects.
How do you pronounce it?
/enkaɾamado/
Did you know?
- While encaramado describes a physical position, the verb encaramarse is also used figuratively to describe someone who has climbed their way into a position of power or social status.
- The word posado, a common synonym for 'perched', shares a root with posada, the Spanish word for an inn or lodging.
- Unlike the English 'perched', which is mostly neutral, encaramado can suggest a sense of precariousness or that the person is clinging to the edge for dear life.
Examples in context
- El ave estaba posada en la rama del árbol.The bird was perched on the tree branch.
- El gato estaba posado en la silla.The cat was perched on the chair.
- Los niños estaban encaramados en el muro.The children were perched on the wall.
- El pájaro está encaramado en la rama.The bird is perched on the branch.
- El gato está encaramado en la rama.The cat is perched on the branch.
- El niño se quedó encaramado en el muro.The boy remained perched on the wall.
Example conversation
Elena and Alejandro are looking at a bird in the garden.
- ElenaMira ese gorrión encaramado en la lámpara.Look at that sparrow perched on the lamp.
- AlejandroEs muy pequeño y se ve lindo.It is very small and looks cute.
- ElenaCreo que está buscando comida.I think it is looking for food.
- AlejandroSeguro que sí, Alejandro tiene razón.I'm sure it is, Alejandro is right.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
