plantar
/planˈtaɾ/
To plant in Spanish is to say plantar or sembrar.
Meaning: to place in soil or other substrate in order that it may live and grow (verb)
Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA |
|---|---|
| plantar | /planˈtaɾ/ |
| sembrar | /semˈbɾaɾ/ |
The verb meaning to place something in soil or a substrate so that it may live and grow can be expressed by two different words depending on what is being planted.
Which one should you use?
Use sembrar specifically when referring to sowing seeds or planting crops in a field. Use plantar when referring to the act of placing a specific plant, such as a tree or a shrub, into the ground.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The noun for a plant is planta, which is a feminine noun. Additionally, the noun plantación refers to a plantation or the act of planting.
How do you pronounce it?
/planˈtaɾ/
Did you know?
- In Spanish, plantar can be used colloquially to mean 'to stand someone up' or 'to leave someone waiting', as in me plantó.
- In many Spanish-speaking countries, you might hear the term planta used to describe the 'sole' of a foot, rather than a green organism.
- The word plantar comes from the Latin plantāre, which originally referred to the sole of the foot, suggesting the act of pressing something down with the foot.
Examples in context
- Quiero sembrar una huerta.I want to plant a vegetable garden.This sentence uses sembrar.Tatoeba #2253595 by cueyayotl, translation #2253592 by _undertoad
- Las ardillas ayudan a plantar árboles.Squirrels help plant trees.This sentence uses plantar.Tatoeba #10489014 by Seael, translation #10471432 by Hybrid
- Tengo que plantar árboles en el jardín.I have to plant trees in the garden.Tatoeba #1752019 by Shishir, translation #1744940 by Amastan
- El botánico estudia cada tipo de planta con detenimiento.The botanist studies each type of plant meticulously.
- Mi abuela tiene una hermosa planta en su jardín.My grandma has a beautiful plant in her garden.
- Compré una nueva matita para colocar en mi escritorio.I bought a new plant to place on my desk.
- 12 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Daniel and Elena are talking in the garden.
- Daniel¿Cuándo vamos a plantar los tomates?When are we going to plant the tomatoes?
- ElenaPodemos plantar las semillas mañana.We can plant the seeds tomorrow.
- DanielPerfecto, yo prepararé la tierra.Perfect, I will prepare the soil.
- ElenaGracias, Daniel. Será un gran jardín.Thank you, Daniel. It will be a great garden.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “plant” translations and entries plantar, sembrar, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries plantar, sembrar, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
