encarnar
“encarnar” means “to embody” in Spanish. It has 3 different meanings depending on context:
to embody
Also: to personify
📝 In Action
Ella encarna los valores de nuestra empresa.
B2She embodies our company's values.
Este líder encarna la esperanza de todo un pueblo.
C1This leader personifies the hope of an entire people.
Sus obras encarnan la lucha por la justicia.
B2His works represent the struggle for justice.
to play
Also: to portray
📝 In Action
El actor va a encarnar a Hamlet en la nueva obra.
B1The actor is going to play Hamlet in the new play.
¿Quién encarna al villano en la película?
A2Who plays the villain in the movie?
Fue un reto encarnar a una figura histórica tan compleja.
B2It was a challenge to portray such a complex historical figure.
to become ingrown
Also: to heal over
📝 In Action
Se me ha encarnado una uña del pie.
B2I have an ingrown toenail.
Ten cuidado para que no se te encarne el vello al afeitarte.
C1Be careful so your hair doesn't become ingrown when shaving.
🔄 Conjugations
subjunctive
imperfect
present
indicative
preterite
imperfect
present
Translate to Spanish
✏️ Quick Practice
Quick Quiz: encarnar
Question 1 of 3
Which sentence correctly uses 'encarnar' to talk about acting?
📚 More Resources
👥 Word Family▼
📚 Etymology▼
From Latin 'incarnare', which is a combination of 'in-' (into) and 'caro' (flesh). It literally means 'to take on flesh'.
First recorded: 13th century
Cognates (Related words)
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is 'encarnar' the same as 'representar'?
They are very close! 'Representar' is more general (like a sign representing a shop), while 'encarnar' is deeper—it implies that the person has become the very essence of what they are representing.
Can I use 'encarnar' for objects?
Usually, no. It is almost always used for people (actors, leaders, etc.) because it literally means 'to put into flesh'.
How do I conjugate it in the past?
It is a perfectly regular -ar verb. For 'I embodied', use 'encarné'. For 'he/she/it embodied', use 'encarnó'.