calcar con lápiz
/kalkaɾ kon lapiθ/from spelling rules
To trace with a pencil in Spanish is calcar con lápiz.
This phrase describes the specific act of copying a drawing by following its lines through a transparent sheet using a pencil.
What does it mean word for word?
The verb calcar literally means to trace or to copy by following existing lines.
Which one should you use?
While dibujar is the general verb for 'to draw' an original picture, you should use calcar specifically when you are tracing over lines that already exist.
How does it change in a sentence?
You can use either con lápiz (with pencil) or con un lápiz (with a pencil) to express this idea. If you want to express the continuous action of the process, you can use the gerund form calcando con lápiz.
Did you know?
- The verb calcar originally had nothing to do with drawing, as its Latin root calcāre meant to tread or press down with the heel.
- Linguists use the word calco to refer to a 'loan translation', where a phrase from one language is translated word for word into another.
- In Spanish, the verb calcar is used metaphorically to describe someone who imitates another person's behavior or personality exactly.
Examples in context
- ¿Puedes hacer un trazo con un lápiz aquí?Can you make a stroke with a pencil here?
- Puedes calcar con lápiz este dibujo.You can trace this drawing with a pencil.
- Ella prefiere calcar con lápiz para mayor precisión.She prefers to trace with a pencil for more precision.
- Voy a calcar con lápiz el diseño sobre el papel.I am going to trace the design onto the paper with a pencil.
Example conversation
Sofía and Mateo are working on an art project in a studio.
- Sofía¿Me puedes ayudar a calcar con lápiz este boceto?Can you help me trace this sketch with a pencil?
- MateoClaro, Sofía, pásame el papel transparente.Sure, Sofía, hand me the transparent paper.
- SofíaGracias, Mateo, es que este dibujo es difícil.Thanks, Mateo, it's just that this drawing is difficult.
- MateoNo te preocupes, lo haremos con cuidado.Don't worry, we will do it carefully.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries calcar, con, lápiz, CC BY-SA 4.0.
