How to Say "to arrange" in Spanish
The most common Spanish word for “to arrange” is “ordenar” — use 'ordenar' when you mean to put things into a specific, tidy order, like tidying up a space.
ordenar
or-deh-NARor.ðeˈnaɾ
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-SARor.ɣa.niˈsaɾ
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.)
acomodar
ah-koh-moh-darakomoˈðar
Examples
Por favor, acomoda los libros en el estante.
Please, arrange the books on the shelf.
Ella acomodó toda su ropa en el armario nuevo.
She put away all her clothes in the new closet.
Antes de la fiesta, acomodamos los muebles en la sala.
Before the party, we arranged the furniture in the living room.
Acomodar vs. Ordenar
While 'ordenar' means to give an order or organize strictly, 'acomodar' often implies making things fit nicely or comfortably in a space.
Confusing with 'Accommodate' (Space)
Mistake: “La habitación acomoda a tres personas.”
Correction: En la habitación caben tres personas.
acordar
ah-kor-DARa.koɾˈðaɾ
Examples
Nosotros acordamos reunirnos el viernes.
We agreed to meet on Friday.
Acordaron el precio de la casa.
They agreed on the price of the house.
Los países aprobaron y acordron el tratado.
The countries approved and agreed to the treaty.
Stem Change Pattern
Acordar follows the same pattern as pensar and contar: the 'o' changes to 'ue' when the stress falls on that syllable. You'll see this in yo acuerdo, tú acuerdas, él argumenta, etc.
Preterite Irregularity
The preterite has an accent on the 'é': yo acordé, tú acordaste. This is different from regular -ar verbs! Remember: the 'é' gets the accent mark.
Reflexive Form
The reflexive form 'acordarse' means 'to remember.' You'll hear 'No me acuerdo' (I don't remember) very often in everyday Spanish.
Forgetting the Accent in Preterite
Mistake: “Writing 'yo acuerdo' for the past tense”
Correction: Use 'yo acordé' (with an accent) for past tense. The present tense is 'yo acuerdo' (no accent).
Confusing with 'recordar'
Mistake: “Using 'acordar' when you mean 'to remind' without the reflexive”
Correction: In most Spanish varieties, use 'acordar' (to agree/decide) and 'acordarse' or 'recordar' (to remember).
concertar
kon-ser-tarkonθerˈtaɾ
Examples
Llamé a la clínica para concertar una cita médica.
I called the clinic to arrange a medical appointment.
Hemos concertado una reunión para el próximo lunes a las diez.
We have scheduled a meeting for next Monday at ten.
Es difícil concertar una entrevista con el director.
It is difficult to set up an interview with the director.
The 'Boot' Change
This verb is a 'stem-changer.' The letter 'e' in the middle changes to 'ie' in most present tense forms, except for 'we' (nosotros) and 'you all' (vosotros).
Direct Action
Unlike English, which often uses 'for' (arrange for a meeting), in Spanish you 'concertar' the thing directly without a preposition.
Confusing with Music
Mistake: “Thinking 'concertar' only refers to musical concerts.”
Correction: While 'concierto' is a concert, the verb 'concertar' is mostly used for arranging professional meetings or agreements.
Missing the Stem Change
Mistake: “Yo concerto una cita.”
Correction: Yo concierto una cita. (Remember the 'e' becomes 'ie' when you stress it!)
disponer
dees-poh-NEHRdis.poˈner
Examples
Ella dispuso los platos sobre la mesa con mucho cuidado.
She arranged the plates on the table very carefully.
El director dispuso las sillas en círculo.
The director set out the chairs in a circle.
No 'De' Needed Here
Unlike the meaning 'to have available', when you are physically moving objects to arrange them, you do not use 'de' after the verb.
gestionar
hes-tyo-NARxes.tjo.ˈnaɾ
Examples
Estoy gestionando mi nuevo pasaporte.
I am processing my new passport.
El abogado gestionó todos los permisos necesarios.
The lawyer arranged all the necessary permits.
Debes gestionar la solicitud antes del viernes.
You must process the application before Friday.
Action Verb
This meaning implies taking the physical or digital steps to move a process forward.
The 'Doing' Confusion
Mistake: “Estoy haciendo mi visa.”
Correction: Estoy gestionando mi visa.
cocinar
koh-see-narko.siˈnaɾ
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.
Choosing between ordering and organizing
Related Translations
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