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entonar

en-toh-NARen.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

Subjunctive

Imperfect Subjunctive

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

Present Subjunctive

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

Indicative

Preterite

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

Imperfect

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

Present

yoentono
túentonas
él/ella/ustedentona
nosotrosentonamos
vosotrosentonáis
ellos/ellas/ustedesentonan
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

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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.