esposar
“esposar” means “to handcuff” in Spanish (restraining someone with metal rings on their wrists).
to handcuffAlso: to shackle
📝 In Action
La policía tuvo que esposar al sospechoso.
A2The police had to handcuff the suspect.
No puedes esposar a alguien sin una razón legal.
B1You cannot handcuff someone without a legal reason.
Lo vi salir del banco esposado por los oficiales.
B2I saw him leave the bank handcuffed by the officers.
Word Connections
Subjunctive
Imperfect Subjunctive
Present Subjunctive
Indicative
Preterite
Imperfect
Present
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Words that translate to "esposar" in Spanish:
✏️ Quick Practice
Quick Quiz: esposar
Question 1 of 3
What is the primary modern meaning of 'esposar'?
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👥 Word Family
📚 Etymology
From 'esposas' (handcuffs), which comes from the Latin word 'sponsa' (betrothed/promised). The connection is based on the idea of a 'bond' or 'tie' between two people.
First recorded: 13th century
Cognates (Related words)
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Frequently Asked Questions
Can 'esposar' mean 'to get married'?
Technically, very old Spanish used it that way, but today it only means to handcuff. If you want to say 'to get married', use 'casarse'.
Why does 'esposas' mean both 'wives' and 'handcuffs'?
It's a play on the Latin root for 'bond' or 'promise'. It implies that both marriage and handcuffs are things that 'bind' people together!
Is 'esposar' a common word?
It is common in crime dramas, news, and literature, but you won't use it much in casual everyday life unless you are a police officer.