Inklingo

How to Say "to aim" in Spanish

English → Spanish

apuntar

ah-poon-TAHRapunˈtaɾ

verbA2general
Use 'apuntar' when literally pointing a finger or an object in a specific direction.
A hand with one finger extended pointing towards a mountain.

Examples

No es de mala educación apuntar con el dedo.

It is rude to point with your finger.

El arquero apunta al centro de la diana.

The archer aims at the center of the target.

La brújula apunta hacia el norte.

The compass points toward the north.

Direction words

When aiming or pointing at something, we usually use 'a' (to) or 'hacia' (toward) after the verb.

Using 'point' for people

Mistake: “Saying 'apuntar' when you mean to 'pick' someone for a team.”

Correction: Use 'elegir' or 'seleccionar' for picking people; 'apuntar' is about the physical gesture of pointing.

enfocar

en-fo-karem.foˈkaɾ

verbA2general
Use 'enfocar' when directing a beam of light or, metaphorically, focusing attention or efforts on a specific point.
A close-up of a person's eye looking through a camera lens, with the lens adjusting to make a distant flower appear sharp and clear.

Examples

Tienes que enfocar la cámara antes de sacar la foto.

You have to focus the camera before taking the photo.

Mis ojos no pueden enfocar bien sin mis gafas.

My eyes cannot focus well without my glasses.

Enfocaron las luces hacia el escenario.

They aimed the lights toward the stage.

The 'C' to 'QU' Spelling Change

To keep the hard 'K' sound, the letter 'c' changes to 'qu' whenever the next letter is an 'e' (like in the 'Yo' form of the past tense: enfoqué).

Confusing focus (lens) with focus (mind)

Mistake: “Usar 'enfocar' sin 'se' para concentración personal.”

Correction: Use 'enfocar' for things (cameras) and 'enfocarse' for people focusing their minds.

pretender

pre-ten-DAREpɾetenˈdeɾ

verbB1general
Use 'pretender' when you have an intention or goal, meaning to strive for a specific result or outcome.
A person looking at a mountain peak with a backpack, ready to start their climb.

Examples

Pretendo terminar mi carrera este año.

I intend to finish my degree this year.

¿Qué pretendes con ese comentario?

What are you aiming for with that comment?

Intent vs. Make-Believe

Unlike the English word 'pretend,' this Spanish word usually means you have a goal or intention, not that you are playing make-believe.

False Friend Warning

Mistake: “Using 'pretender' to mean 'to act like a pirate' or 'to play-act'.”

Correction: Use 'aparentar' (to seem) or 'hacerse el' (to act like) for English-style 'pretending'. Use 'pretender' when you mean 'I plan to'.

orientar

oh-ryen-TARoɾjenˈtaɾ

verbB2general
Use 'orientar' when directing efforts, attention, or a campaign towards a particular group or objective.
A colorful group of children looking at a bright toy display specifically designed for them.

Examples

Han decidido orientar la campaña publicitaria a los jóvenes.

They have decided to target the advertising campaign at young people.

Debemos orientar nuestros esfuerzos a mejorar la calidad.

We must aim our efforts at improving quality.

Este curso está orientado a principiantes.

This course is geared towards beginners.

Passive Guidance

You will often see this as 'estar orientado a'. This describes what something is designed for or who it's made for.

Using 'para' instead of 'a'

Mistake: “El libro está orientado para niños.”

Correction: El libro está orientado a niños. (While 'para' is understood, 'a' is the standard way to show the target in Spanish.)

encarar

en-ka-rareŋkaˈɾaɾ

verbB2general
Use 'encarar' when directing an object, like a camera or a weapon, towards something or someone.
A person holding a camera on a tripod, aiming the lens toward a beautiful sunset.

Examples

El fotógrafo encaró su cámara hacia el paisaje.

The photographer pointed his camera toward the landscape.

Encaró el coche hacia la salida.

He pointed the car toward the exit.

El delantero encaró la portería y tiró.

The forward faced the goal and shot.

Directional 'hacia'

When using 'encarar' to mean 'pointing toward,' it is very common to use the word 'hacia' (toward) to show the direction.

Aiming vs. Intending

The most common confusion is between using 'apuntar' or 'encarar' for physical direction and 'pretender' for intentions. Remember that 'apuntar' and 'encarar' involve a physical direction, while 'pretender' is about a goal or desire.

Related Translations

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