Inklingo

How to Say "to arrange" in Spanish

English → Spanish

ordenar

or-deh-NAR/or.ðeˈnaɾ/

verbA1general
Use 'ordenar' when you mean to put things into a specific, tidy order, like tidying up a space or aligning objects.
A child happily placing colorful wooden blocks into a perfectly straight line on a clean blue shelf, demonstrating organization.

Examples

Necesito ordenar mi armario antes de que lleguen mis invitados.

I need to tidy up my closet before my guests arrive.

Ella ordenó los libros por color.

She arranged the books by color.

Direct Use

This meaning is usually followed directly by the thing being organized (e.g., 'ordenar la ropa' - to arrange the clothes).

Confusing 'Ordenar' and 'Limpiar'

Mistake: “Usar 'ordenar' para decir 'to clean' (e.g., 'ordenar el suelo').”

Correction: Use 'limpiar' for cleaning the floor or washing surfaces. 'Ordenar' is only for putting things in their place.

organizar

or-gah-nee-SAR/or.ɣa.niˈsaɾ/

verbA1general
Use 'organizar' when referring to the act of structuring or arranging items, furniture, or tasks in a systematic way.
A colorful illustration of a child smiling while neatly placing building blocks into a designated storage box on a clean shelf in a brightly lit room.

Examples

Necesito organizar mi escritorio antes de empezar a trabajar.

I need to organize my desk before starting to work.

Ellos organizaron una fiesta sorpresa para su cumpleaños.

They organized a surprise party for his birthday.

Si organizamos bien la semana, tendremos tiempo libre el sábado.

If we organize the week well, we will have free time on Saturday.

Spelling Change in the Preterite

The 'yo' form of the past tense (preterite) changes the 'z' to a 'c' (organicé). This is just to keep the 's' sound consistent when the ending starts with an 'e'.

The 'z' in the Subjunctive

Mistake: “Quiero que yo organizo la reunión.”

Correction: Quiero que yo organice la reunión. (The 'z' changes to 'c' in the special form used for wishes—the subjunctive.)

cocinar

/koh-see-nar//ko.siˈnaɾ/

verbB1informal
Use 'cocinar' metaphorically to mean 'to cook up' or 'to concoct' a plan, excuse, or deal, implying careful preparation.
A character wearing a chef's hat and apron, humorously stirring colorful, abstract shapes representing ideas or words inside a giant mixing bowl.

Examples

Tuvieron que cocinar una excusa creíble para el jefe.

They had to concoct a believable excuse for the boss.

El director cocinó los números para que parecieran mejores.

The director cooked the books (falsified the numbers) so they would look better.

Están cocinando un plan para fusionar las dos empresas.

They are arranging a plan to merge the two companies.

Figurative Use

When used in this sense, 'cocinar' implies detailed, often secretive, preparation, much like 'cooking up' a scheme in English.

Orden vs. Organizar

Learners often confuse 'ordenar' and 'organizar' as they both relate to tidiness. Remember that 'ordenar' focuses on putting things in a specific sequence or order, while 'organizar' is about structuring or arranging multiple elements systematically.

Related Translations

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