apilar
/apiˈlaɾ/
The English phrase "stacking" can be translated into Spanish as apilar.
The term apilar refers to the act of placing objects one on top of another to form a pile. Depending on the context, you may also use the noun apilamiento to describe the formal action of stacking objects vertically or acumulación when referring to the stacking of various materials or objects.
Which one should you use?
There is a distinction between orderly and disorderly stacking. Use apilar when you are creating a neat and orderly stack. In contrast, use amontonar when referring to a more haphazard, messy or disorganized way of piling things up, which translates to "to pile up" or "to heap up".
How does it change in a sentence?
To express the continuous action of stacking, use the gerund apilando. If you wish to use the word as an adjective to describe something that has already been stacked, use the past participle apilado.
How do you pronounce it?
/apiˈlaɾ/
Did you know?
- The word pila can be used in the expression ponerse las pilas, which literally means 'to put in your batteries' but means 'to wake up' or 'get focused'.
- In some contexts, pila refers to a baptismal font, as these stone basins were historically seen as a 'stack' or 'pillar' of stone.
- In various Spanish dialects, the word pila is used as a slang term for 'a lot', such as saying tengo una pila de cosas to mean 'I have a ton of things'.
Examples in context
- Apila los librosStack the books
- Forma pilas con los documentosCreate stacks with the documents
- Apila los objetos aquíStack the objects here
- Vamos a apilar los cojinesLet's stack the cushions
- Amontonó la ropa en la sillaHe/she stacked the clothes on the chair
- Haz una pila con los librosMake a stack with the books
- Voy a hacer una pila de revistasI'll make a stack of magazines
- Por favor, haz una pila con los platos sucios antes de lavarlos.Please stack the dirty plates before washing them.
- En la bodega, hacen una acumulación ordenada de las cajas.In the warehouse, they create an orderly stacking of the boxes.
- Voy a apilar los libros en la estantería de manera prolija.I'm going to stack the books neatly on the shelf.
- No amontones la ropa sobre la silla, colócala en el armario.Don't stack the clothes on the chair, put them in the wardrobe.
- Apila los bloques de construcción uno encima del otro para formar una torre.Stack the building blocks on top of each other to form a tower.
- Está apilando las cajas en el almacén.He/she is stacking the boxes in the warehouse.
- Necesito apilar estas cajas en la esquina.I need to stack these boxes in the corner.
- Es mejor apilar los platos con cuidado.It is better to stack the plates carefully.
Example conversation
María and Javier are cleaning the living room.
- MaríaJavier, ¿me ayudas a apilar estos cojines?Javier, will you help me stack these cushions?
- JavierSí, María, yo los pongo aquí.Yes, María, I will put them here.
- MaríaGracias, así ahorramos mucho espacio.Thanks, this way we save a lot of space.
- JavierDe nada, ya terminamos la limpieza.You're welcome, we've finished the cleaning.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry apilar, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
