echa
/EH-chah/
puts
Echa (puts): The act of placing something down gently.
echa(Verb)
puts
?placing or setting down
,adds
?adding an ingredient or substance
pours
?liquids
📝 In Action
Ella siempre echa azúcar al café.
A1She always adds sugar to her coffee.
El camarero echa agua en mi vaso.
A2The waiter pours water into my glass.
Usted echa la llave en la mesa antes de salir.
A2You (formal) put the key on the table before leaving.
💡 Grammar Points
Form and Use
This form, 'echa,' is what 'he, she, or it' does right now (present tense). It is also the informal command for 'you' (tú): 'Echa la sal' (Add the salt!).
⭐ Usage Tips
Cooking Tip
When giving instructions for cooking, use 'echa' to mean 'add' or 'pour,' especially for smaller amounts or ingredients.
Echa (throws): Tossing an object with force.
echa(Verb)
throws
?tossing or launching an object
hurls
?with force
,casts
?a shadow or a fishing line
📝 In Action
El pescador echa la red al mar.
B1The fisherman casts the net into the sea.
Ella echa una piedra al río.
A2She throws a stone into the river.
Echa (fires): Being dismissed or removed from employment.
echa(Verb)
fires
?dismisses from a job
,kicks out
?expels from a place
expels
?formal removal
📝 In Action
El dueño echa al inquilino por no pagar.
B1The owner kicks out the tenant for not paying.
Si no trabaja bien, la jefa lo echa.
B2If he doesn't work well, the boss fires him.
💡 Grammar Points
Using 'Echar' for Removal
When 'echar' means to fire or kick someone out, it nearly always requires the preposition 'a' before the person being removed: 'echa a la gente'.
Echa (misses): Feeling the absence or longing for someone or something.
📝 In Action
Ella echa de menos a su familia cuando viaja.
A2She misses her family when she travels.
Mi perro echa de menos la playa.
B1My dog misses the beach.
¿Tú echa de menos a tu ex?
A2Do you (formal) miss your ex?
💡 Grammar Points
Remember the 'de menos'
To say 'to miss,' you must use the full phrase 'echar de menos.' If you just say 'echa,' it means 'he/she throws' or 'adds' something, which changes the meaning completely.
❌ Common Pitfalls
Confusing 'Echar' and 'Hacer'
Mistake: "Using 'hacer de menos' instead of 'echar de menos'."
Correction: 'Echar' is the correct verb here. 'Hacer' (to do/make) is incorrect for this specific idiom.
🔄 Conjugations
indicative
present
imperfect
preterite
subjunctive
present
imperfect
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: echa
Question 1 of 2
Which sentence uses 'echa' to give an informal command?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know if 'echa' means 'throws' or 'adds'?
You need to look at the surrounding words. If 'echa' is followed by an ingredient (sal, azúcar), it means 'adds.' If it's followed by a physical object and a direction (la pelota al jardín), it means 'throws.' Context is everything with this verb!
Is 'echa' related to the word 'hecho' (done/fact)?
No, they are completely different words. 'Echa' comes from the verb *echar* (to throw). 'Hecho' comes from the verb *hacer* (to do/make). They sound similar but are unrelated and have different meanings.