unir
“unir” means “to join” in Spanish. It has 2 different meanings depending on context:
to join, to unite
Also: to link, to combine
📝 In Action
Tienes que unir las dos piezas con pegamento.
A1You have to join the two pieces with glue.
El director quiere unir los esfuerzos de ambos equipos.
A2The director wants to unite the efforts of both teams.
La costurera unió la tela con hilo rojo.
A2The seamstress joined the fabric with red thread.
to join up, to merge
Also: to become united, to get together
📝 In Action
Decidimos unirnos a la causa de la limpieza de playas.
B1We decided to join the beach cleanup cause.
Las dos empresas rivales se unieron para formar una más grande.
B2The two rival companies merged to form a larger one.
¿Te vas a unir a nosotros para el almuerzo?
A2Are you going to join us for lunch?
🔄 Conjugations
indicative
present
preterite
imperfect
subjunctive
present
imperfect
Translate to Spanish
✏️ Quick Practice
Quick Quiz: unir
Question 1 of 2
Which sentence correctly uses 'unir' to mean 'to join a group'?
📚 More Resources
👥 Word Family▼
📚 Etymology▼
Comes directly from the Latin word *unīre*, meaning 'to make one' or 'to bring together.' It has maintained its core meaning for centuries.
First recorded: Vulgar Latin period
Cognates (Related words)
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between 'unir' and 'juntar'?
'Unir' usually suggests a strong, often permanent, or functional connection (like welding, merging, or forming a bond). 'Juntar' is generally lighter and often means 'to gather' or 'to put next to each other' (like putting books on a table).
How do I say 'We are united'?
You should use the verb 'estar' plus the past participle 'unidos': 'Estamos unidos.' This describes the resulting state of being connected.