Inklingo

How to Say "to belong" in Spanish

English → Spanish

pertenecer

per-te-ne-CER/peɾ.te.ne.ˈθeɾ/

verbB1general
Use 'pertenecer' when you want to express that you are a member or part of a formal group, organization, or collective.
A colorful illustration of a person wearing a matching jersey standing with a group of friends who are all wearing the same uniform, smiling and arms around each other.

Examples

Ella pertenece a la orquesta sinfónica de la ciudad.

She belongs to the city's symphony orchestra.

Yo pertenezco a este club de lectura.

I belong to this book club.

Este libro pertenece a la biblioteca pública.

This book belongs to the public library.

María pertenece a una familia de músicos.

Maria comes from a family of musicians (belongs to a family of musicians).

Always use 'a' after pertencecer

When you say something belongs to someone or something, Spanish always uses 'pertenecer a': 'pertenecer al equipo' (to belong to the team), 'pertenecer a la asociación' (to belong to the association). Never say 'pertenecer el equipo.'

Forgetting the 'a'

Mistake: “decir 'El libro pertenece la biblioteca'”

Correction: Say 'El libro pertenece A la biblioteca.' The 'a' is required in Spanish, unlike English where we just say 'belongs the library.'

encajar

/en-kah-HAR//en.kaˈxaɾ/

verbB1general
Use 'encajar' when you want to express the feeling of fitting in comfortably or being accepted within a social group or new environment.
A group of happy blue circles standing together with one new blue circle joining the group, looking welcome.

Examples

Espero que los nuevos compañeros me ayuden a encajar en el equipo.

I hope the new colleagues help me fit in with the team.

Me costó mucho encajar en mi nuevo trabajo.

It was hard for me to fit in at my new job.

Tus ideas encajan perfectamente con nuestra visión.

Your ideas match our vision perfectly.

Ella nunca sintió que encajara en ese grupo de amigos.

She never felt like she fit in with that group of friends.

Abstract Matching

This word describes a harmony between things, like a person's personality and a company's culture.

Don't say 'encajar con'

Mistake: “No encajo con el grupo.”

Correction: While you will hear 'con', 'en' is much more natural for social groups: 'No encajo en el grupo'.

Fitting In vs. Being a Member

Learners often confuse 'encajar' and 'pertenecer'. Remember that 'encajar' is about social comfort and acceptance, while 'pertenecer' is about formal membership in a group or organization.

Related Translations

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