meter
/meh-TEHR/
to put
Meter can mean 'to put' or 'to place inside'.
meter(verb)
to put
?to place inside
,to insert
?to stick something in
to put in
?general placement
,to shove
?with force
📝 In Action
Mete la llave en la cerradura antes de girarla.
A1Put the key in the lock before turning it.
Siempre meto mis libros en la mochila cuando termino la clase.
A1I always put my books in my backpack when I finish class.
El técnico tuvo que meter un cable nuevo por la pared.
A2The technician had to run a new cable through the wall.
💡 Grammar Points
Direct Object Needed
When using 'meter' in this physical sense, you must say what you are putting inside (the direct object): 'Meto el dinero' (I put the money).
❌ Common Pitfalls
Confusing 'Poner' and 'Meter'
Mistake: "Pongo la ropa en el armario (when you mean inside the closed space)."
Correction: Meto la ropa en el armario. ('Meter' is better when the action involves fully containing something, like putting clothes inside a closet or a book inside a bag. 'Poner' is more general 'to place on top of' or 'to set down').
⭐ Usage Tips
Focus on Depth
'Meter' emphasizes that the item is going into something, often deeply or fully contained. Think 'in' or 'inside'.
When used reflexively (meterse en), it means 'to get involved' or 'to enter into' a situation.
meter(verb)
to get involved
?in a situation or project (meterse en)
,to meddle
?to interfere in someone else's business
to butt in
?interrupting a conversation
,to join
?to become part of a group (meterse a)
📝 In Action
No te metas en mis problemas, por favor.
B1Don't get involved in my problems, please.
Ella se metió a estudiar medicina el año pasado.
B2She started studying medicine last year. (She 'got into' studying it.)
¿Por qué siempre te tienes que meter en lo que no te importa?
B2Why do you always have to butt into what doesn't concern you?
💡 Grammar Points
The Self-Action Verb (Reflexive)
When 'meterse' is used, it means the subject is doing the action to themselves or for themselves. You need the reflexive pronouns (me, te, se, nos, os, se).
Key Prepositions
Use 'meterse EN' for getting involved in a situation or trouble, and 'meterse A' for starting a new activity or profession.
❌ Common Pitfalls
Forgetting the Reflexive Pronoun
Mistake: "No mete en eso."
Correction: No te metas en eso. (You must include the 'te' to make it mean 'get involved' or 'interfere'.)
⭐ Usage Tips
Use for Trouble
This form is perfect for talking about intentionally or accidentally getting into trouble: 'Se metió en un lío' (He got into a mess).
In sports, meter can be used to mean 'to score' a goal.
meter(verb)
to score
?a goal in sports
,to invest
?money or effort
to inject
?resources
,to upload
?data (especially in some regions)
📝 In Action
El delantero logró meter un gol en el último minuto.
B2The striker managed to score a goal in the last minute.
Vamos a meter todo nuestro esfuerzo en este proyecto.
B2We are going to put all our effort into this project.
Metieron varios millones de dólares en la nueva empresa.
C1They invested several million dollars in the new company.
💡 Grammar Points
Figurative Use
This meaning is an extension of the basic 'put inside' idea—you are putting the goal into the net, or putting money/effort into a venture.
❌ Common Pitfalls
Overusing 'Meter'
Mistake: "Hicimos un gol."
Correction: Metimos un gol. ('Hacer un gol' is understandable, but 'meter un gol' is the most natural and common way to express scoring in football/soccer in many Spanish-speaking countries.)
⭐ Usage Tips
Sports Vocabulary
In football (soccer), 'meter' is almost always preferred over 'poner' or 'hacer' when talking about scoring.
🔄 Conjugations
indicative
present
imperfect
preterite
subjunctive
present
imperfect
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: meter
Question 1 of 2
Which sentence uses the reflexive form 'meterse' correctly?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
How is 'meter' different from 'poner'?
'Poner' means 'to place' or 'to set down' and is more general. 'Meter' specifically means 'to put something inside something else'—it emphasizes the depth or containment. If you put your keys *on* the table, use 'poner'. If you put your keys *inside* your pocket, use 'meter'.
What is the common meaning of the idiom 'meter la pata'?
Literally 'to put the paw/foot in,' it means 'to mess up,' 'to blunder,' or 'to put your foot in your mouth' by saying something inappropriate or incorrect.