exprimir

eks-pree-MEER/eks.pɾiˈmiɾ/

“exprimir” means “to squeeze” in Spanish. It has 2 different meanings depending on context:

to squeeze🔊A2Verb

getting liquid out of fruit or a sponge

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to make the most of🔊B2Verb

using time or an opportunity to the fullest

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to squeeze

Also: to juice

VerbA2regular ir

A hand squeezing a fresh orange to extract juice into a glass.

gerundexprimiendo

past Participleexprimido

infinitiveexprimir

📝 In Action

Necesito exprimir seis limones para la limonada.

I need to squeeze six lemons for the lemonade.

Exprime bien la esponja antes de limpiar la mesa.

Squeeze the sponge well before cleaning the table.

¿Me ayudas a exprimir las naranjas?

Can you help me juice the oranges?

Word Connections

Synonyms

estrujar (to crush/squash)
apretar (to press)

Antonyms

rellenar (to fill up)

Common Collocations

exprimir un limón – to squeeze a lemon
zumo recién exprimido – freshly squeezed juice

to make the most of

Also: to exploit

VerbB2regular ir

A person happily running through a sunny field of flowers with open arms.

📝 In Action

Tienes que exprimir el día al máximo.

You have to make the most of the day.

Ese jefe exprime a sus empleados hasta que no pueden más.

That boss exploits his employees until they can't take it anymore.

Queremos exprimir cada minuto de nuestras vacaciones.

We want to squeeze every minute out of our vacation.

Word Connections

Synonyms

aprovechar (to take advantage of)
explotar (to exploit)

Common Collocations

exprimir al máximo – to get the absolute most out of something
exprimir el tiempo – to make the most of one's time

🔄 Conjugations

subjunctive

imperfect

ellos/ellas/ustedesexprimieran

yoexprimiera

túexprimieras

vosotrosexprimierais

nosotrosexprimiéramos

él/ella/ustedexprimiera

present

ellos/ellas/ustedesexpriman

yoexprima

túexprimas

vosotrosexprimáis

nosotrosexprimamos

él/ella/ustedexprima

indicative

preterite

ellos/ellas/ustedesexprimieron

yoexprimí

túexprimiste

vosotrosexprimisteis

nosotrosexprimimos

él/ella/ustedexprimió

imperfect

ellos/ellas/ustedesexprimían

yoexprimía

túexprimías

vosotrosexprimíais

nosotrosexprimíamos

él/ella/ustedexprimía

present

ellos/ellas/ustedesexprimen

yoexprimo

túexprimes

vosotrosexprimís

nosotrosexprimimos

él/ella/ustedexprime

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Translate to Spanish

Words that translate to "exprimir" in Spanish:

to exploit→to juice→to squeeze→

✏️ Quick Practice

Quick Quiz: exprimir

Question 1 of 3

Which of these is the most common use for 'exprimir'?

📚 More Resources

👥 Word Family▼

exprimidor(juicer / lemon squeezer) — Noun

exprimido(squeezed) — Adjective

🎵 Rhymes▼

dormir sentir vivir

📚 Etymology▼

From the Latin word 'exprimere', which combines 'ex' (out) and 'premere' (to press). It literally means 'to press out'.

First recorded: 13th century

Cognates (Related words)

English: expressFrench: exprimer

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is 'exprimir' irregular?

No, it is a perfectly regular 'ir' verb. It follows all the standard rules for its ending.

Can I use it for wringing out a wet shirt?

Yes! It is the perfect word for wringing out clothes, towels, or sponges to remove water.

What is the difference between 'exprimir' and 'escurrir'?

'Exprimir' involves applying pressure or twisting to force liquid out. 'Escurrir' is more about letting the liquid drip out or drain away naturally.