entablar
/entaˈblaɾ/
To strike up in Spanish is to say entablar.
The verb entablar is used when you start a process, such as establishing a relationship or beginning a conversation.
Meaning: to start something, e.g. a relationship (verb)
Which one should you use?
While entablar is used for starting processes like conversations or relationships, it is not used for starting physical objects like a fire or an engine.
How does it change in a sentence?
The third-person singular preterite of entablar is entabló (he/she/it struck up), and the third-person plural preterite is entablaron (they struck up).
How do you pronounce it?
/entaˈblaɾ/
Did you know?
- The word entablar comes from tabla, which means 'board' or 'plank'. It literally describes the act of putting boards in place to build a structure.
- In a legal context, entablar is the standard term used when someone decides to 'strike up' or initiate a lawsuit, such as entablar una demanda.
- Unlike 'strike up', which can be used for music, entablar cannot be used to describe starting a song or a band.
Examples in context
- Durante el evento, Juan entabló una conversación con el director.During the event, Juan struck up a conversation with the director.
- María decidió iniciar una plática con sus colegas sobre el proyecto.María decided to strike up a conversation with her colleagues about the project.
- Ayer, en la fiesta, Juan y María empezaron una charla muy interesante.Yesterday, at the party, Juan and María struck up a very interesting chat.
- María rompió el hielo y entabló conversación con el nuevo empleado de la empresa.María broke the ice and struck up a conversation with the new employee of the company.
- Es difícil entablar una amistad con él.It is difficult to strike up a friendship with him.
- Quieren entablar una relación seria.They want to strike up a serious relationship.
- Ella logró entablar una conversación interesante.She managed to strike up an interesting conversation.
Example conversation
Mateo and Lucía are discussing a recent social event.
- Mateo¿Lograste entablar una conversación con el nuevo vecino?Did you manage to strike up a conversation with the new neighbor?
- LucíaNo, todavía no he podido entablar comunicación con él.No, I haven't been able to strike up communication with him yet.
- MateoDeberías intentar entablar una amistad pronto.You should try to strike up a friendship soon.
- LucíaTienes razón, lo intentaré mañana.You're right, I'll try tomorrow.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “strike up” translations and entries entablar, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries entablar, CC BY-SA 4.0.
