envuelto alrededor
/embwelto alrededoɾ/from spelling rules
The English phrase "wrapped around" is translated into Spanish as envuelto alrededor.
envuelto alrededor is used to describe something that is curled or folded around an object. In colloquial speech, you may also hear the term liado to convey the idea of being tied up or wrapped around.
What does it mean word for word?
This phrase is composed of the past participle envuelto (wrapped) and the adverb alrededor (around).
How does it change in a sentence?
The word envuelto must agree in gender and number with the object that is wrapped. Use envuelta alrededor if the object is feminine, and use envueltos alrededor if the objects are masculine and plural.
Did you know?
- The word alrededor is built from the Arabic article al and the Spanish rededor, showing the deep influence of Arabic on the language's spatial terms.
- If you are describing someone being 'wrapped up' in a thought or an idea, Spanish often avoids the word envuelto and prefers the verb obsesionado or the phrase absorto en.
- While envuelto means wrapped, the Spanish word for a 'wrap' or 'burrito' is enrollado in some regions, which specifically refers to the action of rolling.
Examples in context
- El cordón se encontraba enroscado alrededor del posteThe cord was wound around the pole
- La cuerda estaba arrollada alrededor del posteThe rope was wrapped around the post
- El papel estaba enrollado alrededor del regaloThe paper was wrapped around the gift
- La cuerda estaba envuelta alrededor del árbolThe rope was wrapped around the tree
- El cable estaba liado alrededor de la sillaThe cable was wrapped around the chair
- La bufanda está envuelta alrededor de su cuello.The scarf is wrapped around her neck.
- Hay un cable envuelto alrededor de la silla.There is a cable wrapped around the chair.
Example conversation
Daniel and Elena are looking at a messy living room.
- Daniel¿Qué es ese cable envuelto alrededor de la pata de la mesa?What is that cable wrapped around the table leg?
- ElenaEs el cargador del teléfono, Daniel.It is the phone charger, Daniel.
- DanielParece que está muy apretado.It looks like it is very tight.
- ElenaLo voy a desenredar ahora mismo.I am going to untangle it right now.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries alrededor, envuelto, CC BY-SA 4.0.
