Inklingo
← Dictionary

meterse

meh-TEHR-sehmeˈteɾ.se

to go into, to get into

Also: to put on, to squeeze in
VerbA2regular (reflexive) er
A simple figure entering a brightly colored room through a large red doorway.
infinitivemeterse
gerundmetiéndo(se)
past Participlemetido

📝 In Action

El niño se metió debajo de la mesa para esconderse.

A2

The child went under the table to hide.

Date prisa, métete en el coche, que llegamos tarde.

A2

Hurry up, get in the car, we are going to be late.

Me metí en la cama porque hacía mucho frío.

B1

I got into bed because it was very cold.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • entrar (to enter)
  • introducirse (to insert oneself)

Common Collocations

  • meterse en problemas – to get into trouble
  • meterse en un lío – to get into a mess

to interfere, to meddle

Also: to get involved
VerbB2regular (reflexive) er
An illustration showing a third person intruding physically into a private conversation between two other people.
infinitivemeterse
gerundmetiéndo(se)
past Participlemetido

📝 In Action

No te metas en mis asuntos, por favor.

B2

Don't interfere in my business, please.

Siempre se mete en discusiones que no le corresponden.

C1

He always gets involved in arguments that don't concern him.

Word Connections

Synonyms

Antonyms

Common Collocations

  • meterse con alguien – to pick a fight with someone

to dedicate oneself to, to become

Also: to enlist
VerbC1regular (reflexive) erneutral/formal
A cartoon figure diving enthusiastically into a large open book, symbolizing dedication to a new subject or career.
infinitivemeterse
gerundmetiéndo(se)
past Participlemetido

📝 In Action

Después de la universidad, se metió a periodista.

C1

After university, he became a journalist.

Ella se metió en política para cambiar las cosas.

C1

She got into politics to change things.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • dedicarse (to dedicate oneself)
  • iniciarse (to begin)

🔄 Conjugations

indicative

present

él/ella/ustedse mete
yome meto
túte metes
ellos/ellas/ustedesse meten
nosotrosnos metemos
vosotrosos metéis

imperfect

él/ella/ustedse metía
yome metía
túte metías
ellos/ellas/ustedesse metían
nosotrosnos metíamos
vosotrosos metíais

preterite

él/ella/ustedse metió
yome metí
túte metiste
ellos/ellas/ustedesse metieron
nosotrosnos metimos
vosotrosos metisteis

subjunctive

present

él/ella/ustedse meta
yome meta
túte metas
ellos/ellas/ustedesse metan
nosotrosnos metamos
vosotrosos metáis

imperfect

él/ella/ustedse metiera
yome metiera
túte metieras
ellos/ellas/ustedesse metieran
nosotrosnos metiéramos
vosotrosos metierais
View All Tenses & Moods →

🔀 Commonly Confused With

Translate to Spanish

Words that translate to "meterse" in Spanish:

to become→to enlist→to interfere→to join→to meddle→

✏️ Quick Practice

Quick Quiz: meterse

Question 1 of 2

Which sentence uses 'meterse' in the sense of 'to interfere'?

📚 More Resources

👥 Word Family▼
meter(to put, to insert) — Verb
metedura(mistake, insertion (less common)) — Noun
🎵 Rhymes▼
📚 Etymology▼

'Meterse' comes directly from the non-reflexive verb 'meter' (to put or place), which itself evolved from the Latin verb *mittere* meaning 'to send' or 'to let go'. When you add 'se', the meaning shifts from 'sending/putting something else' to 'sending/putting oneself'.

First recorded: 13th century (base verb)

Cognates (Related words)

Portuguese: meter-seItalian: mettere

💡 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 'meter' and 'meterse'?

'Meter' (without 'se') means 'to put' or 'to insert' something else: 'Yo meto la llave' (I put the key). 'Meterse' (with 'se') means 'to put oneself' or 'to enter': 'Yo me meto en la casa' (I enter the house).

How do I say 'to pick on someone' using 'meterse'?

You would use the phrase 'meterse con alguien'. For example, 'No te metas con tu hermano' means 'Don't pick on your brother' or 'Don't mess with your brother'.