Inklingo
← Dictionary

entonar

en-toh-NAR/en.toˈnaɾ/

“entonar” means “to sing in tune” in Spanish. It has 2 different meanings depending on context:

to sing in tune

Also: to strike up, to modulate
VerbB1regular ar
A cheerful person singing with musical notes floating around them in a bright setting.
gerundentonando
past Participleentonado
infinitiveentonar

📝 In Action

Ella sabe entonar muy bien incluso las notas más difíciles.

B1

She knows how to sing even the most difficult notes perfectly in tune.

El público empezó a entonar el himno nacional.

B2

The crowd began to strike up the national anthem.

Es importante entonar la voz para que el discurso sea interesante.

C1

It's important to modulate your voice so the speech is interesting.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • modular (to modulate)
  • afinar (to tune)

Antonyms

  • desentonar (to sing out of tune)

Common Collocations

  • entonar una canción – to strike up a song
  • entonar el himno – to sing the anthem

to harmonize

Also: to tone up, to settle
VerbB2regular ar
A collection of paint swatches and objects in matching shades of blue and green arranged neatly.
gerundentonando
past Participleentonado
infinitiveentonar

📝 In Action

Las cortinas entonan perfectamente con el color de las paredes.

B2

The curtains harmonize perfectly with the color of the walls.

Este ejercicio ayuda a entonar los músculos de la espalda.

C1

This exercise helps to tone the back muscles.

Una sopa caliente te ayudará a entonar el cuerpo.

B2

A hot soup will help settle your body/stomach.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • armonizar (to harmonize)
  • tonificar (to tone)
  • combinar (to match/combine)

Antonyms

  • desentonar (to clash)

Common Collocations

  • entonar el estómago – to settle the stomach
  • entonar con el ambiente – to fit in with the environment

Idioms & Expressions

  • estar entonado – to be slightly tipsy or 'feeling good' from alcohol

🔄 Conjugations

subjunctive

imperfect

ellos/ellas/ustedesentonaran
yoentonara
túentonaras
vosotrosentonarais
nosotrosentonáramos
él/ella/ustedentonara

present

ellos/ellas/ustedesentonen
yoentone
túentones
vosotrosentonéis
nosotrosentonemos
él/ella/ustedentone

indicative

preterite

ellos/ellas/ustedesentonaron
yoentoné
túentonaste
vosotrosentonasteis
nosotrosentonamos
él/ella/ustedentonó

imperfect

ellos/ellas/ustedesentonaban
yoentonaba
túentonabas
vosotrosentonabais
nosotrosentonábamos
él/ella/ustedentonaba

present

ellos/ellas/ustedesentonan
yoentono
túentonas
vosotrosentonáis
nosotrosentonamos
él/ella/ustedentona
View All Tenses & Moods →

Translate to Spanish

Words that translate to "entonar" in Spanish:

to harmonize→to modulate→

✏️ Quick Practice

Quick Quiz: entonar

Question 1 of 3

If a singer is 'entonando' correctly, what are they doing?

📚 More Resources

👥 Word Family▼
tono(tone) — Noun
entonación(intonation) — Noun
desentonar(to be out of tune/clash) — Verb
entonado(in tune / tipsy) — Adjective
🎵 Rhymes▼
cantarsonaracompañar
📚 Etymology▼

From the Latin 'intonare', which combines 'in' (into) and 'tonus' (tone/sound).

First recorded: 13th century

Cognates (Related words)

English: intoneFrench: entonner

💡 Master Spanish

Take your Spanish to the next level. Read 200+ illustrated and narrated Spanish stories tailored to your level with the Inklingo app!

Frequently Asked Questions

Does 'entonar' always involve music?

No. While it's very common in music, it also means to harmonize colors or to invigorate/tone the body.

What is the difference between 'cantar' and 'entonar'?

'Cantar' is the general act of singing. 'Entonar' focuses on the technical ability to stay in tune or the specific act of starting a song.

Is 'entonar' a regular verb?

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