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encajar

en-kah-HAR/en.kaˈxaɾ/

to fit

Also: to insert, to snap into place
VerbA2regular ar
A square wooden block being placed perfectly into a matching square hole in a child's toy box.
gerundencajando
past Participleencajado
infinitiveencajar

📝 In Action

Esta pieza no encaja en el rompecabezas.

A1

This piece doesn't fit in the puzzle.

La llave encajó perfectamente en la cerradura.

A2

The key fitted perfectly in the lock.

Tienes que encajar la tapa antes de cerrar la caja.

B1

You have to fit the lid on before closing the box.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • ajustar (to adjust/tighten)
  • acoplar (to couple/connect)

Antonyms

  • desencajar (to dislocate/not fit)

Common Collocations

  • encajar las piezas – to make the pieces fit
  • encajar a presión – to force-fit

to fit in

Also: to belong, to match
VerbB1regular ar
A group of happy blue circles standing together with one new blue circle joining the group, looking welcome.
gerundencajando
past Participleencajado
infinitiveencajar

📝 In Action

Me costó mucho encajar en mi nuevo trabajo.

B1

It was hard for me to fit in at my new job.

Tus ideas encajan perfectamente con nuestra visión.

B2

Your ideas match our vision perfectly.

Ella nunca sintió que encajara en ese grupo de amigos.

B1

She never felt like she fit in with that group of friends.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • concordar (to agree/match)
  • adaptarse (to adapt oneself)

Antonyms

  • desentonar (to be out of place/clash)

Common Collocations

  • encajar bien – to fit in well
  • encajar en el perfil – to fit the profile

to take

Also: to accept, to concede
VerbB2regular ar
A sturdy, brave wooden shield standing firm against a strong gust of wind and falling leaves.
gerundencajando
past Participleencajado
infinitiveencajar

📝 In Action

Encajó la crítica con mucha madurez.

B2

He took the criticism with a lot of maturity.

El equipo encajó tres goles en la primera parte.

B2

The team conceded three goals in the first half.

Le costó encajar la noticia del despido.

C1

It was hard for him to take the news of the firing.

Word Connections

Synonyms

Antonyms

Common Collocations

  • encajar un golpe – to take a blow/punch
  • encajar bien una broma – to take a joke well

🔄 Conjugations

subjunctive

imperfect

ellos/ellas/ustedesencajaran
yoencajara
túencajaras
vosotrosencajarais
nosotrosencajáramos
él/ella/ustedencajara

present

ellos/ellas/ustedesencajen
yoencaje
túencajes
vosotrosencajéis
nosotrosencajemos
él/ella/ustedencaje

indicative

preterite

ellos/ellas/ustedesencajaron
yoencajé
túencajaste
vosotrosencajasteis
nosotrosencajamos
él/ella/ustedencajó

imperfect

ellos/ellas/ustedesencajaban
yoencajaba
túencajabas
vosotrosencajabais
nosotrosencajábamos
él/ella/ustedencajaba

present

ellos/ellas/ustedesencajan
yoencajo
túencajas
vosotrosencajáis
nosotrosencajamos
él/ella/ustedencaja
View All Tenses & Moods →

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✏️ Quick Practice

Quick Quiz: encajar

Question 1 of 3

Which sentence correctly describes a puzzle piece?

📚 More Resources

👥 Word Family▼
caja(box) — Noun
encaje(lace or a fitting) — Noun
desencajar(to put out of joint) — Verb
encajonar(to box in) — Verb
🎵 Rhymes▼
📚 Etymology▼

Derived from the Spanish word 'caja' (box), combining it with the prefix 'en-' (in). It literally meant 'to put into a box.'

First recorded: 13th century

Cognates (Related words)

Portuguese: encaixar

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Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use 'encajar' for my clothes?

Generally, no. Use 'quedar bien' for size and style. 'Encajar' is for parts fitting into a whole.

What is the difference between 'caber' and 'encajar'?

Caber means 'to have enough room' (e.g., Will this box fit in the car?). Encajar means 'to match shapes or ideas' (e.g., Does this lid fit this jar?).

Is 'encajar' a regular verb?

Yes, it follows the standard pattern for -ar verbs in all tenses.