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calibrar

kah-lee-brarkaliˈβɾaɾ

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

to calibrate

Also: to adjust, to tune
VerbB1regular ar
A hand using a small screwdriver to adjust a colorful mechanical scale.
gerundcalibrando
past Participlecalibrado
infinitivecalibrar

📝 In Action

Tienes que calibrar la balanza antes de pesar los ingredientes.

B1

You have to calibrate the scale before weighing the ingredients.

El técnico está calibrando el microscopio del laboratorio.

B2

The technician is calibrating the laboratory microscope.

Es importante calibrar el monitor para ver los colores reales.

B2

It is important to calibrate the monitor to see true colors.

Word Connections

Synonyms

Antonyms

  • desajustar (to put out of adjustment)

Common Collocations

  • calibrar un instrumento – to calibrate an instrument
  • equipo bien calibrado – well-calibrated equipment

to gauge, to assess

Also: to size up
VerbC1regular arformal
A person looking thoughtful while observing a group of people interacting at a distance.
gerundcalibrando
past Participlecalibrado
infinitivecalibrar

📝 In Action

Debemos calibrar bien nuestras fuerzas antes del partido.

C1

We must gauge our strengths well before the match.

No supo calibrar el impacto de sus palabras.

C1

He didn't know how to assess the impact of his words.

El político intentaba calibrar la opinión pública.

C2

The politician was trying to gauge public opinion.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • evaluar (to evaluate)
  • tantear (to test the waters)
  • ponderar (to weigh/ponder)

Antonyms

Common Collocations

  • calibrar el riesgo – to gauge the risk
  • calibrar las consecuencias – to assess the consequences

Subjunctive

Imperfect Subjunctive

yocalibrara
túcalibraras
él/ella/ustedcalibrara
nosotroscalibráramos
vosotroscalibrarais
ellos/ellas/ustedescalibraran

Present Subjunctive

yocalibre
túcalibres
él/ella/ustedcalibre
nosotroscalibremos
vosotroscalibréis
ellos/ellas/ustedescalibren

Indicative

Preterite

yocalibré
túcalibraste
él/ella/ustedcalibró
nosotroscalibramos
vosotroscalibrasteis
ellos/ellas/ustedescalibraron

Imperfect

yocalibraba
túcalibrabas
él/ella/ustedcalibraba
nosotroscalibrábamos
vosotroscalibrabais
ellos/ellas/ustedescalibraban

Present

yocalibro
túcalibras
él/ella/ustedcalibra
nosotroscalibramos
vosotroscalibráis
ellos/ellas/ustedescalibran
View All Tenses & Moods →

Translate to Spanish

Words that translate to "calibrar" in Spanish:

to adjust→to assess→to calibrate→to gauge→to tune→

✏️ Quick Practice

Quick Quiz: calibrar

Question 1 of 3

Which sentence uses the literal meaning of 'calibrar'?

📚 More Resources

👥 Word Family▼
calibre(caliber/gauge) — Noun
calibrado(calibrated) — Adjective
calibración(calibration) — Noun
descalibrar(to uncalibrate) — Verb
🎵 Rhymes▼
📚 Etymology▼

From the French 'calibrer', which comes from 'calibre' (the size of a gun's bore). This eventually traces back to the Arabic 'qālib' (a mold for casting metal) and the Greek 'kalopous' (a shoemaker's last/mold).

First recorded: 18th century

Cognates (Related words)

English: calibrateFrench: calibrer

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is 'calibrar' a common word in daily conversation?

Not really. It's more common in technical fields or formal discussions. In daily life, people usually say 'ajustar' (adjust) or 'medir' (measure).

Does 'calibrar' have any stem changes?

No, it is a perfectly regular -ar verb in all its forms.

Can I use 'calibrar' to describe judging a person?

Yes, it is common to 'calibrar a alguien' (size someone up), meaning to evaluate their personality or skills.