estrechar

es-tre-CHAR/estɾeˈt͡ʃaɾ/

“estrechar” means “to shake hands” in Spanish. It has 3 different meanings depending on context:

to shake hands🔊A2Verb

greetings and formal agreements

Learn more →

to narrow🔊B1Verb

making a space or path smaller

Learn more →

to strengthen🔊B2Verb

relationships or bonds

Learn more →

to shake hands

Also: to hug or clasp

VerbA2regular ar

Two people shaking hands warmly in a friendly greeting.

gerundestrechando

past Participleestrechado

infinitiveestrechar

📝 In Action

El presidente se acercó para estrechar la mano del invitado.

The president approached to shake the guest's hand.

Ella estrechó a su hijo contra su pecho.

She held her son close to her chest.

Es una costumbre estrechar la mano al conocer a alguien.

It is a custom to shake hands when meeting someone.

Word Connections

Synonyms

apretar (to squeeze)
abrazar (to hug)

Antonyms

soltar (to let go)

Common Collocations

estrechar la mano – to shake hands
estrechar un abrazo – to give a tight hug

Idioms & Expressions

estrechar filas – to close ranks / to work together more closely

to narrow, to take in

Also: to tighten

VerbB1regular ar

A wide path transitioning into a very narrow passage between two tall hedges.

gerundestrechando

past Participleestrechado

infinitiveestrechar

📝 In Action

El sastre tuvo que estrechar mis pantalones.

The tailor had to take in my pants.

La carretera se estrecha al llegar al puente.

The road narrows when it reaches the bridge.

Debemos estrechar el margen de error.

We must narrow the margin of error.

Word Connections

Synonyms

angostar (to narrow)
reducir (to reduce)

Antonyms

ensanchar (to widen)
ampliar (to expand)

Common Collocations

estrechar un vestido – to take in a dress
estrechar el camino – to narrow the path

to strengthen

Also: to tighten

VerbB2regular arformal

Two friends sitting together on a bench, laughing and sharing a bowl of fruit.

gerundestrechando

past Participleestrechado

infinitiveestrechar

📝 In Action

Este viaje servirá para estrechar los lazos de amistad.

This trip will serve to strengthen the bonds of friendship.

Ambos países buscan estrechar sus relaciones comerciales.

Both countries seek to strengthen their commercial relations.

Queremos estrechar el contacto con nuestros clientes.

We want to have closer contact with our clients.

Word Connections

Synonyms

reforzar (to reinforce)
consolidar (to consolidate)

Antonyms

debilitar (to weaken)
enfriar (to cool down (a relationship))

Common Collocations

estrechar lazos – to strengthen bonds
estrechar la relación – to make a relationship closer

🔄 Conjugations

subjunctive

imperfect

ellos/ellas/ustedesestrecharan

yoestrechara

túestrecharas

vosotrosestrecharais

nosotrosestrecháramos

él/ella/ustedestrechara

present

ellos/ellas/ustedesestrechen

yoestreche

túestreches

vosotrosestrechéis

nosotrosestrechemos

él/ella/ustedestreche

indicative

preterite

ellos/ellas/ustedesestrecharon

yoestreché

túestrechaste

vosotrosestrechasteis

nosotrosestrechamos

él/ella/ustedestrechó

imperfect

ellos/ellas/ustedesestrechaban

yoestrechaba

túestrechabas

vosotrosestrechabais

nosotrosestrechábamos

él/ella/ustedestrechaba

present

ellos/ellas/ustedesestrechan

yoestrecho

túestrechas

vosotrosestrecháis

nosotrosestrechamos

él/ella/ustedestrecha

View All Tenses & Moods →

Translate to Spanish

Words that translate to "estrechar" in Spanish:

to narrow→

✏️ Quick Practice

Quick Quiz: estrechar

Question 1 of 3

Which of these phrases means 'to shake hands'?

📚 More Resources

👥 Word Family▼

estrecho(narrow) — Adjective

estrechez(narrowness / hardship) — Noun

estrechamente(closely) — Adverb

estrechamiento(narrowing) — Noun

🎵 Rhymes▼

escuchar mirar

📚 Etymology▼

From the Spanish word 'estrecho' (narrow), which originates from the Latin word 'strictus', meaning 'tight' or 'drawn together'.

First recorded: 13th century

Cognates (Related words)

English: strictFrench: étroit

💡 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

What is the difference between 'estrechar la mano' and 'dar la mano'?

'Dar la mano' is the general term for 'to give/shake hands'. 'Estrechar la mano' is slightly more formal and emphasizes the clasping or the firmness of the shake.

Can 'estrechar' mean to hug?

Yes, especially in literature or poetic language, 'estrechar entre sus brazos' means to hold someone tightly in a hug.

Is 'estrechar' a regular verb?

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