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amarrar

ah-mah-RRARamaˈraɾ

“amarrar” means “to tie” in Spanish. It has 2 different meanings depending on context:

to tie, to fasten

Also: to lace up
VerbA1regular ar
Latin America
A close-up illustration of a thick rope being tied into a secure knot around a wooden post.
gerundamarrando
past Participleamarrado
infinitiveamarrar

📝 In Action

Tengo que amarrar mis zapatos antes de correr.

A1

I have to tie my shoes before running.

Por favor, amarra el paquete con esta cuerda.

A2

Please, tie the package with this rope.

No amarres al perro al poste por mucho tiempo.

B1

Don't tie the dog to the post for a long time.

Word Connections

Synonyms

Antonyms

Common Collocations

  • amarrar los cordones – to tie shoelaces
  • amarrar fuerte – to tie tightly

Idioms & Expressions

  • amarrarse los pantalones – To take a firm stand or show courage

to secure, to clinch

VerbB2regular ar
Two people shaking hands firmly to show they have reached an agreement.

📝 In Action

El equipo necesita amarrar la victoria en el segundo tiempo.

B2

The team needs to clinch the victory in the second half.

Por fin amarraron el contrato con la nueva empresa.

B2

They finally secured the contract with the new company.

Word Connections

Synonyms

Common Collocations

  • amarrar un trato – to clinch a deal
  • amarrar el resultado – to lock in the result

Subjunctive

Imperfect Subjunctive

yoamarrara
túamarraras
él/ella/ustedamarrara
nosotrosamarráramos
vosotrosamarrarais
ellos/ellas/ustedesamarraran

Present Subjunctive

yoamarre
túamarres
él/ella/ustedamarre
nosotrosamarremos
vosotrosamarréis
ellos/ellas/ustedesamarren

Indicative

Preterite

yoamarré
túamarraste
él/ella/ustedamarró
nosotrosamarramos
vosotrosamarrasteis
ellos/ellas/ustedesamarraron

Imperfect

yoamarraba
túamarrabas
él/ella/ustedamarraba
nosotrosamarrábamos
vosotrosamarrabais
ellos/ellas/ustedesamarraban

Present

yoamarro
túamarras
él/ella/ustedamarra
nosotrosamarramos
vosotrosamarráis
ellos/ellas/ustedesamarran
View All Tenses & Moods →

Translate to Spanish

Words that translate to "amarrar" in Spanish:

to clinch→to fasten→to secure→to tie→

✏️ Quick Practice

Quick Quiz: amarrar

Question 1 of 3

Which sentence means 'I am tying my shoes'?

📚 More Resources

👥 Word Family▼
amarre(mooring/tie) — Noun
amarradero(hitching post/berth) — Noun
amarrado(tied/secured) — Adjective
🎵 Rhymes▼
📚 Etymology▼

From the maritime world; originally from French 'amarrer' (to moor), which came from Dutch 'an-marren' meaning to bind or delay.

First recorded: 16th century

Cognates (Related words)

French: amarrerPortuguese: amarrar

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is 'amarrar' only for ropes?

No. While it implies using a cord or rope, it is used for anything being fastened or even figuratively for securing business deals.

What is the difference between 'amarrar' and 'atar'?

They are mostly synonyms. 'Atar' is more common in Spain, while 'amarrar' is much more common in Latin America for all types of tying.

How do you say 'to tie one's own laces'?

You use the reflexive form: 'amarrarse'. For example: 'Me amarro los cordones' (I tie my laces).