Inklingo

How to Say "to align" in Spanish

English → Spanish

alinear

/ah-lee-neh-ahr//alineˈaɾ/

verbA2
Use 'alinear' when you want to arrange objects or people so they form a straight line or are in the correct position relative to each other.
A row of colorful wooden blocks perfectly aligned in a straight horizontal line on a wooden floor.

Examples

Asegúrate de alinear los libros correctamente en la estantería.

Make sure to align the books correctly on the shelf.

Tienes que alinear los cuadros en la pared.

You have to align the pictures on the wall.

El mecánico alineó las ruedas del coche.

The mechanic aligned the car wheels.

Por favor, alinea el texto a la izquierda.

Please, align the text to the left.

Regular Spelling

Unlike words like 'enviar' (envío), 'alinear' does not usually take an accent mark on the 'i'. It follows the standard pattern for -ar verbs.

Using 'Se'

When you want to say you are joining a side or a group, use 'alinearse con'. For example: 'Se alineó con el equipo ganador'.

The Wrong Accent

Mistake: “Yo alíneo los libros.”

Correction: Yo alineo los libros. (The stress is on the 'e', not the 'i').

centrar

/sen-TRAR//senˈtɾaɾ/

verbA2
Choose 'centrar' when you need to position something exactly in the middle or center of a space, page, or screen.
A single red apple sitting perfectly in the middle of a square white table.

Examples

Me gusta centrar las imágenes en mis presentaciones.

I like to center the images in my presentations.

Por favor, centra el título en el documento.

Please, center the title in the document.

Tienes que centrar la mesa en el comedor.

You have to center the table in the dining room.

El fotógrafo centró la imagen antes de disparar.

The photographer centered the image before shooting.

Using 'en' with centrar

When you want to say 'center something on' or 'in' something else, always use the word 'en' after centrar.

Confusing the noun and verb

Mistake: “El centro el cuadro.”

Correction: Él centró el cuadro. Remember that 'centro' is a place, while 'centró' is the action of putting it in the middle.

conspirar

/kohn-spee-RAHR//konspiˈɾaɾ/

verbC1
Use 'conspirar' metaphorically when various factors or events seem to be working together, often in a surprising or fated way, to achieve a particular outcome.
A row of colorful falling dominoes perfectly hitting a red button that releases a balloon.

Examples

Todo conspiraba para que tuviéramos un día perfecto.

Everything was conspiring to make us have a perfect day.

El destino parece conspirar a nuestro favor hoy.

Fate seems to be conspiring in our favor today.

El clima y el tráfico conspiraron para que llegara tarde.

The weather and traffic conspired to make me late.

Todo parece conspirar en mi contra esta mañana.

Everything seems to be conspiring against me this morning.

Personification

This meaning uses 'conspirar' to give human-like intentions to non-human things like time, weather, or luck.

Alinear vs. Centrar

Learners often confuse 'alinear' and 'centrar' because both involve positioning. Remember: 'alinear' is about straight lines or relative positions, while 'centrar' specifically means placing something in the exact middle.

Related Translations

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