enmarcar
“enmarcar” means “to frame” in Spanish. It has 2 different meanings depending on context:
to frame
Also: to surround
📝 In Action
Quiero enmarcar esta foto de nuestra boda.
A1I want to frame this photo from our wedding.
El carpintero enmarcó el espejo con madera de roble.
A2The carpenter framed the mirror with oak wood.
Esas montañas enmarcan el pueblo de una manera preciosa.
B1Those mountains frame the town in a beautiful way.
to contextualize
Also: to fit into
📝 In Action
Debemos enmarcar este conflicto en su contexto histórico.
B2We must frame this conflict within its historical context.
Esta obra se enmarca dentro del movimiento surrealista.
C1This work fits within the surrealist movement.
La reunión se enmarca en los esfuerzos por lograr la paz.
C1The meeting is part of the efforts to achieve peace.
Subjunctive
Imperfect Subjunctive
Present Subjunctive
Indicative
Preterite
Imperfect
Present
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✏️ Quick Practice
Quick Quiz: enmarcar
Question 1 of 3
¿Cómo se dice 'I framed' (past tense) en español?
📚 More Resources
👥 Word Family▼
📚 Etymology▼
From the prefix 'en-' (meaning in or into) and 'marco' (frame), which comes from Germanic roots related to 'border' or 'boundary'.
First recorded: 16th century
Cognates (Related words)
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is 'enmarcar' only for pictures?
No! While its primary use is for pictures and mirrors, it is very common in professional Spanish to 'frame' ideas, laws, or historical events within a context.
What is the difference between 'enmarcar' and 'encuadrar'?
They are very similar. 'Enmarcar' usually refers to the physical frame, while 'encuadrar' is often used in photography to describe what is visible through the camera lens (the 'shot').
Why does the spelling change to 'qu'?
In Spanish, 'ce' and 'ci' sound like 's'. To keep the hard 'k' sound found in 'enmarcar', we must change the 'c' to 'qu' whenever the next letter is an 'e'.