Inklingo
← Dictionary

calibrar

kah-lee-brar/kaliˈβɾaɾ/

“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

🔄 Conjugations

subjunctive

imperfect

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

present

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

indicative

preterite

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

imperfect

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

present

ellos/ellas/ustedescalibran
yocalibro
túcalibras
vosotroscalibráis
nosotroscalibramos
él/ella/ustedcalibra
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

💡 Master Spanish

Take your Spanish to the next level. Read 200+ illustrated and narrated Spanish stories tailored to your level with the Inklingo app!

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.