estirar
/estiˈɾaɾ/
To stretch in Spanish is estirar.
The verb estirar is used when you extend your limbs or body to improve muscle elasticity, but it is also used for stretching physical objects such as rubber bands or clothes. If you are talking about the ability of a material to lengthen when pulled, the related noun elasticidad is used.
Meaning: to extend one’s limbs or body, for example in order to improve the elasticity the muscles (verb)
Which one should you use?
While estirar is the general verb, the noun estiramiento is the standard term used in fitness or athletic contexts to refer to a stretching routine or the act of stretching. In an idiomatic sense, the noun estirón refers to a growth spurt in children or adolescents.
Related words
How do you pronounce it?
/estiˈɾaɾ/
Did you know?
- The word tirar, which forms the root of estirar, is a linguistic 'contronym' in Spanish because it can mean both 'to pull' and 'to throw'.
- The verb estirar can be used colloquially to describe spending a budget or a resource to make it last longer, similar to the English 'stretching a dollar'.
- In some contexts, estirar can be used to describe the act of prolonging a conversation or a situation beyond its natural end.
Examples in context
- Necesito estirar las piernas.I need to stretch my legs.This example shows how to use estirar when talking about legs.Tatoeba #1746948 by Shishir, translation #1745638 by Spamster
- Antes y después de hacer ejercicio conviene estirar.One should stretch before and after exercising.This example uses estirar to give advice regarding exercise.Tatoeba #4886585 by wallebot, translation #4982271 by kinoko
- Después de nadar en la piscina hay que estirar los músculos.We have to stretch our muscles after swimming in the pool.This example uses estirar in the context of stretching muscles after swimming.Tatoeba #6568651 by arh, translation #9725718 by DJ_Saidez
- Debes elongar antes de hacer ejercicioYou should stretch before exercising
- Estire las piernas lentamenteStretch your legs slowly
- Es importante estirarse antes de jugar al fútbolIt's important to stretch before playing soccer
- Necesito desentumecerme antes de correrI need to stretch before running
- Antes de practicar yoga, siempre me gusta elongar los músculos.Before practicing yoga, I always like to stretch my muscles.
- Puedes estirar los brazos y las piernas antes de comenzar el partido.You can stretch your arms and legs before starting the game.
- Voy a estirarme un poco para prepararme antes de levantar pesas.I'm going to stretch a bit to warm up before lifting weights.
- Desentumécete un poco antes de empezar a correr, así evitarás lesiones.Loosen up a bit before starting to run, that way you'll avoid injuries.
- 4 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Elena and Mateo are finishing a yoga class at home.
- ElenaEs importante estirar bien después de la clase.It is important to stretch well after the class.
- MateoTienes razón, me siento muy rígido.You are right, I feel very stiff.
- Elena¿Quieres estirar la espalda un poco más?Do you want to stretch your back a little more?
- MateoSí, eso me ayudaría mucho.Yes, that would help me a lot.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “stretch” translations and entries estirar, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
