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liar

lee-ahr/liˈar/

to wrap, to tie up

Also: to roll
VerbB1irregular ar
A small gift box being carefully wrapped in blue paper with a red ribbon.
gerundliando
past Participleliado
infinitiveliar

📝 In Action

Tengo que liar este paquete para enviarlo por correo.

B1

I have to wrap this package to send it by mail.

Él sabe liar sus propios cigarrillos.

B1

He knows how to roll his own cigarettes.

Lió los libros con una cuerda vieja.

B2

He tied the books together with an old rope.

Word Connections

Synonyms

Antonyms

  • desliar (to untie/unwrap)

Common Collocations

  • liar un bulto – to tie up a bundle
  • liar un cigarrillo – to roll a cigarette

to confuse, to mess up

Also: to get mixed up
VerbB2irregular arinformal
Spain
A character with a swirling cloud above their head and a puzzled expression.
gerundliando
past Participleliado
infinitiveliar

📝 In Action

No me líes con tantos nombres, no los recuerdo todos.

B2

Don't confuse me with so many names; I don't remember them all.

Me he liado con las llaves y he cogido las que no eran.

B2

I got mixed up with the keys and took the wrong ones.

¡La has liado! Esa no era la respuesta correcta.

C1

You've messed it up! That wasn't the right answer.

Word Connections

Synonyms

Antonyms

Common Collocations

  • liarse con alguien – to get involved/hook up with someone
  • liar una buena – to make a big mess

Idioms & Expressions

  • liar la manta a la cabeza – to act impulsively or make a bold decision despite the risks
  • la ha liado parda – he/she has really made a massive mess or caused huge trouble

🔄 Conjugations

subjunctive

imperfect

ellos/ellas/ustedesliaran
yoliara
túliaras
vosotrosliarais
nosotrosliáramos
él/ella/ustedliara

present

ellos/ellas/ustedeslíen
yolíe
túlíes
vosotrosliéis
nosotrosliemos
él/ella/ustedlíe

indicative

preterite

ellos/ellas/ustedesliaron
yolié
túliaste
vosotrosliasteis
nosotrosliamos
él/ella/ustedlió

imperfect

ellos/ellas/ustedesliaban
yoliaba
túliabas
vosotrosliabais
nosotrosliábamos
él/ella/ustedliaba

present

ellos/ellas/ustedeslían
yolío
túlías
vosotrosliáis
nosotrosliamos
él/ella/ustedlía
View All Tenses & Moods →

Translate to Spanish

Words that translate to "liar" in Spanish:

to confuse→to roll→to wrap→

🗣️ Practice in a Tongue Twister

✏️ Quick Practice

Quick Quiz: liar

Question 1 of 3

If you are 'muy liado' at work, how are you feeling?

📚 More Resources

👥 Word Family▼
lío(mess / problem) — Noun
liante(troublemaker / smooth talker) — Noun
liado(busy / tied up) — Adjective
🎵 Rhymes▼
📚 Etymology▼

From the Latin word 'ligare,' which means 'to bind' or 'to tie.' Think of how a 'ligament' binds your bones together!

First recorded: 13th century

Cognates (Related words)

English: relyFrench: lier

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between 'liar' and 'envolver'?

'Envolver' is more general for 'to wrap' (like a gift). 'Liar' implies a bit more effort in tying or rolling it up, though they are often used interchangeably for packages.

Is 'liar' rude?

No, but it is informal when it means 'to confuse' or 'to mess up.' In professional settings, 'confundir' is a safer bet.

Does 'liarse' always mean something romantic?

Not always. It can mean to get confused ('me lío con los verbos') or to get involved in a long task ('me lié a limpiar y no paré'). Context is key!