Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| sembrar | /semˈbɾaɾ/ | |
| sementar | /semenˈtaɾ/ | rare |
The verb sembrar is used to describe the act of dispersing seeds. This can be used literally in agriculture or metaphorically to describe initiating things like doubt, fear or mutual understanding. Note that while sembrar is the standard verb for 'to plant' in a general sense, the verb plantar is more specifically used when transplanting a seedling or planting a tree.
Which one should you use?
sembrar is the standard form for sowing seeds or planting in general, whereas plantar is typically reserved for the specific act of planting a tree or a seedling. Additionally, sementar is a rare form of the verb.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The past participle of sembrar is sembrado, which is used to form perfect tenses or to function as an adjective (meaning 'sown').
How do you pronounce it?
/semˈbɾaɾ/
What mistakes should you avoid?
Do not confuse sembrar (to sow seeds) with coser, which means 'to sew' (to stitch fabric).
Did you know?
- The word semilla, derived from the root of sembrar, is used in Spanish to describe not only a seed but also a 'clue' or a 'starting point' for an idea.
- The Spanish word sembrar shares a common ancestor with the English word 'seminate' and the Latin 'sēmen'.
- In Spanish, the noun siembra refers to both the physical action of sowing seeds and the resulting crop itself.
Examples in context
- Tom le estaba viendo sembrar ensalada.Tom was watching him sow salad.This sentence shows the use of sembrar in a literal sense.Tatoeba #6837516 by albrusgher, translation #6579411 by Eccles17
- Uno debe sembrar la avena salvaje propia.One must sow one's wild oats.This sentence illustrates a metaphorical use of sembrar.Tatoeba #5824657 by albrusgher, translation #1157301 by belgavox
- Debemos sembrar las semillas del mutuo entendimiento.We must sow the seeds of mutual understanding.This sentence demonstrates how to use sembrar for metaphorical seeds of understanding.Tatoeba #5824662 by albrusgher, translation #22839 by kremel
- El agricultor debe sembrar las semillas en primavera.The farmer needs to sow the seeds in spring.
- Sembrar es una parte esencial de la agricultura.Sowing is an essential part of agriculture.
- Voy a echar las semillas en el jardín.I'm going to sow the seeds in the garden.
- Echa las semillas a lo largo del surco.Sow the seeds along the furrow.
- Voy a plantar las semillas en el huerto.I'm going to sow the seeds in the vegetable garden.
- 4 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Mateo and María are talking in their backyard garden.
- MateoMaría, ¿cuándo vamos a sembrar los tomates?María, when are we going to sow the tomatoes?
- MaríaPodemos sembrar las semillas mañana por la mañana.We can sow the seeds tomorrow morning.
- MateoPerfecto, yo prepararé la tierra hoy mismo.Perfect, I will prepare the soil today.
- MaríaGracias, Mateo. Será un gran jardín.Thank you, Mateo. It will be a great garden.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “sow” translations and entries sembrar, sementar, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries sembrar, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
