empapar
/empaˈpaɾ/
To soak in Spanish is empapar. Wiktionary also lists enriar.
Meaning: to immerse in liquid to the point of saturation or thorough permeation (verb)
Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA |
|---|---|
| empapar | /empaˈpaɾ/ |
| enriar | /enrjaɾ/ (from spelling rules) |
The verb is used to describe the act of immersing something in a liquid until it is completely saturated or permeated. Depending on the specific context of the soak, different expressions are common: use remojarse en la bañera for soaking in a bathtub, poner los pies en remojo for soaking your feet and bañarse en las aguas termales for soaking in a hot spring.
Which one should you use?
While empapar is the general term for soaking or saturating something, other phrases are used for specific types of relaxation or immersion, such as soaking in a bathtub or a hot spring.
How does it change in a sentence?
The past participle empapado functions as an adjective to describe a person or an object that is currently soaked.
How do you pronounce it?
/empaˈpaɾ/
Did you know?
- While empapar means to soak, the word papar historically refers to eating or sucking, similar to how a baby feeds. This suggests the original image of a material 'eating' or drinking up liquid.
- Spanish uses the word remojo not only for soaking items but also in the idiom poner en remojo, which can mean to put a plan or a project on hold for a while.
- In some Spanish dialects, the verb empapar can be used colloquially to describe the act of absorbing information or knowledge greedily, as if the mind were a sponge.
Examples in context
- Por favor, remoje estos platos en agua calientePlease soak these dishes in hot water
- Debe sumergir el tejido en el agente de limpiezaYou should soak the fabric in the cleaning agent
- El papel absorberá el agua rápidamenteThe paper will soak up the water quickly
- Voy a meter las legumbres en remojo antes de cocinarI am going to soak the legumes before cooking
- ¡Nos cogió la lluvia y ahora estamos remojados hasta el hueso!We got caught in the rain, and now we are soaked to the bone!
- Se empapó bajo la lluvia torrencialHe/she got soaked under the heavy rain
- Después de un largo día, me gusta remojarme en la bañeraAfter a long day, I enjoy soaking in the bathtub
- Estoy cansado/a, voy a poner los pies en remojoI'm tired, I'll soak my feet
- Este fin de semana quiero bañarme en las aguas termalesThis weekend, I want to soak in the hot springs
- La lluvia me empapó la ropa.The rain soaked my clothes.
- La lluvia va a empapar toda la ropa.The rain is going to soak all the clothes.
- El sudor empezó a empapar su camiseta.Sweat started to soak his t-shirt.
Example conversation
Javier and Elena are outside during a sudden thunderstorm.
- Javier¡Corre, Elena, la tormenta nos va a empapar!Run, Elena, the storm is going to soak us!
- Elena¡Es verdad, ya estoy empapada!It's true, I am already soaked!
- JavierEntremos a la casa rápido.Let's get inside the house quickly.
- ElenaSí, no quiero que se empape mi libro.Yes, I don't want my book to get soaked.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “soak” translations and entries empapar, 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 empapar, CC BY-SA 4.0.
