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entablar

en-tab-LARen.ta.'βlaɾ

“entablar” means “to start” in Spanish. It has 2 different meanings depending on context:

to start

Also: to strike up
VerbB1regular ar
Two people sitting on a park bench smiling and shaking hands warmly.
gerundentablando
past Participleentablado
infinitiveentablar

📝 In Action

Fue muy fácil entablar una conversación con el nuevo vecino.

B1

It was very easy to start a conversation with the new neighbor.

Los dos países quieren entablar una relación comercial más sólida.

B2

The two countries want to strike up a stronger trade relationship.

Me cuesta mucho entablar amistad con gente que no conozco.

B1

It’s hard for me to start a friendship with people I don't know.

Word Connections

Synonyms

Antonyms

Common Collocations

  • entablar una conversación – to start a conversation
  • entablar un diálogo – to strike up a dialogue
  • entablar una amistad – to start a friendship

to initiate

Also: to bring
VerbC1regular arformal
A wooden gavel resting on a solid block next to a stack of papers.
gerundentablando
past Participleentablado
infinitiveentablar

📝 In Action

El sindicato decidió entablar una demanda contra el gobierno.

C1

The union decided to initiate a lawsuit against the government.

Han entablado acciones legales para recuperar el dinero.

C1

They have brought legal action to recover the money.

Es el momento de entablar un juicio por daños y perjuicios.

C2

It is time to initiate a trial for damages.

Word Connections

Synonyms

Antonyms

Common Collocations

  • entablar una demanda – to file a lawsuit
  • entablar un juicio – to initiate a trial
  • entablar acciones legales – to take legal action

Subjunctive

Imperfect Subjunctive

yoentablara
túentablaras
él/ella/ustedentablara
nosotrosentabláramos
vosotrosentablarais
ellos/ellas/ustedesentablaran

Present Subjunctive

yoentable
túentables
él/ella/ustedentable
nosotrosentablemos
vosotrosentabléis
ellos/ellas/ustedesentablen

Indicative

Preterite

yoentablé
túentablaste
él/ella/ustedentabló
nosotrosentablamos
vosotrosentablasteis
ellos/ellas/ustedesentablaron

Imperfect

yoentablaba
túentablabas
él/ella/ustedentablaba
nosotrosentablábamos
vosotrosentablabais
ellos/ellas/ustedesentablaban

Present

yoentablo
túentablas
él/ella/ustedentabla
nosotrosentablamos
vosotrosentabláis
ellos/ellas/ustedesentablan
View All Tenses & Moods →

Translate to Spanish

Words that translate to "entablar" in Spanish:

to bring→to initiate→to start→

✏️ Quick Practice

Quick Quiz: entablar

Question 1 of 3

¿Cuál es el uso más común de 'entablar'?

📚 More Resources

👥 Word Family▼
🎵 Rhymes▼
📚 Etymology▼

From the Spanish word 'tabla' (board). Originally, it referred to putting down boards to prepare a surface for a game or construction. This evolved into the idea of 'setting the stage' or 'preparing the ground' for a conversation or a legal case.

First recorded: 13th century

Cognates (Related words)

Portuguese: entablar

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is 'entablar' different from 'empezar'?

Yes. 'Empezar' is a general word for 'to start' anything. 'Entablar' is much more specific, used almost exclusively for starting conversations, friendships, negotiations, or lawsuits.

Is it a common word in daily speech?

It is common, but it sounds a bit more formal or 'polished' than just saying 'empezar una charla'.

Does it have anything to do with tables?

Historically, yes! It comes from 'tabla' (board). Think of it as 'setting the board' before a game begins.