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entablar

en-tab-LAR/en.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

🔄 Conjugations

subjunctive

imperfect

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

present

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

indicative

preterite

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

imperfect

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

present

ellos/ellas/ustedesentablan
yoentablo
túentablas
vosotrosentabláis
nosotrosentablamos
él/ella/ustedentabla
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.