Inklingo

arar

ah-RAHR/aˈɾaɾ/

arar means to plow in Spanish. It has 2 different meanings depending on context:

to plow

Also: to till
VerbA2regular ar
General
A wooden plow being pulled through dark soil in a bright green field.
gerundarando
past Participlearado
infinitivearar

📝 In Action

El campesino necesita arar el campo antes de sembrar las semillas.

A2

The farmer needs to plow the field before sowing the seeds.

Antiguamente, usaban bueyes para arar la tierra.

B1

In the old days, they used oxen to plow the land.

Es agotador arar bajo el sol todo el día.

B1

It is exhausting to plow under the sun all day.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • labrar (to work the land)
  • surcar (to furrow)

Antonyms

Common Collocations

  • arar la tierrato plow the earth
  • arar el campoto plow the field

Idioms & Expressions

  • arar en el marTo work hard on something that will never show results; a wasted effort.

to furrow

Also: to cut through
VerbC1regular arformal
A close-up of a gardener using a small hand tool to create deep straight grooves in the soil.
gerundarando
past Participlearado
infinitivearar

📝 In Action

El barco comenzó a arar las aguas del Atlántico.

C1

The ship began to plow through the waters of the Atlantic.

El tiempo empezó a arar su frente con arrugas profundas.

C2

Time began to furrow his forehead with deep wrinkles.

La quilla del velero ara la espuma blanca.

C1

The sailboat's keel cuts through the white foam.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • hendir (to cleave or split)
  • arrugar (to wrinkle)

Common Collocations

  • arar las olasto plow the waves

🔄 Conjugations

subjunctive

imperfect

ellos/ellas/ustedesararan
yoarara
araras
vosotrosararais
nosotrosaráramos
él/ella/ustedarara

present

ellos/ellas/ustedesaren
yoare
ares
vosotrosaréis
nosotrosaremos
él/ella/ustedare

indicative

preterite

ellos/ellas/ustedesararon
yoaré
araste
vosotrosarasteis
nosotrosaramos
él/ella/ustedaró

imperfect

ellos/ellas/ustedesaraban
yoaraba
arabas
vosotrosarabais
nosotrosarábamos
él/ella/ustedaraba

present

ellos/ellas/ustedesaran
yoaro
aras
vosotrosaráis
nosotrosaramos
él/ella/ustedara

Translate to Spanish

Words that translate to "arar" in Spanish:

to furrowto plowto till

✏️ Quick Practice

Quick Quiz: arar

Question 1 of 3

What is a farmer doing if they are 'arando'?

📚 More Resources

👥 Word Family
arado(plow (the tool))Noun
arador(plowman / one who plows)Noun
aradura(plowing (the act))Noun
🎵 Rhymes
📚 Etymology

From the Latin word 'arare,' which means the exact same thing: to plow or till.

First recorded: 12th century

Cognates (Related words)

English: arableItalian: arare

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is 'arar' a common word in cities?

Not really. Unless you are talking about gardening or using it metaphorically in literature, you won't hear it much in urban centers.

Are 'arar' and 'labrar' the same?

They are close! 'Arar' is specifically the act of plowing. 'Labrar' is a broader term for 'working the land,' which can include plowing, planting, and weeding.

Does it have any irregular forms?

No, 'arar' is a completely regular verb, making it very easy for learners to use.