How to Say "to cover" in Spanish
The most common Spanish word for “to cover” is “cubrir” — use 'cubrir' when you are physically placing something on top of another object to protect or hide it..
cubrir
koo-BREER/kuˈβriɾ/
Examples
Ella siempre cubre el sofá con una manta para protegerlo.
She always covers the sofa with a blanket to protect it.
La nieve cubrió toda la montaña en una noche.
The snow covered the whole mountain in one night.
Para la pintura, debes cubrir las ventanas con papel.
For painting, you must cover the windows with paper.
El equipo de noticias fue a cubrir las elecciones locales.
The news team went to cover the local elections.
Irregular Past Participle
Even though 'cubrir' is mostly regular, its past participle (the form used with 'haber' or as an adjective) is irregular: 'cubierto', not 'cubrido'. Always remember this exception!
Using 'cubrir' for closing things
Mistake: “Voy a cubrir la botella.”
Correction: Voy a tapar la botella. ('Tapar' is better when referring to putting a lid or stopper on something.)
cubrir
koo-BREER/kuˈβriɾ/
Examples
El equipo de noticias fue a cubrir las elecciones locales.
The news team went to cover the local elections.
Ella siempre cubre el sofá con una manta para protegerlo.
She always covers the sofa with a blanket to protect it.
La nieve cubrió toda la montaña en una noche.
The snow covered the whole mountain in one night.
Para la pintura, debes cubrir las ventanas con papel.
For painting, you must cover the windows with paper.
Irregular Past Participle
Even though 'cubrir' is mostly regular, its past participle (the form used with 'haber' or as an adjective) is irregular: 'cubierto', not 'cubrido'. Always remember this exception!
Using 'cubrir' for closing things
Mistake: “Voy a cubrir la botella.”
Correction: Voy a tapar la botella. ('Tapar' is better when referring to putting a lid or stopper on something.)
cubrir
koo-BREER/kuˈβriɾ/
Examples
La beca cubre todos los gastos de matrícula.
The scholarship covers all tuition expenses.
Ella siempre cubre el sofá con una manta para protegerlo.
She always covers the sofa with a blanket to protect it.
La nieve cubrió toda la montaña en una noche.
The snow covered the whole mountain in one night.
Para la pintura, debes cubrir las ventanas con papel.
For painting, you must cover the windows with paper.
Irregular Past Participle
Even though 'cubrir' is mostly regular, its past participle (the form used with 'haber' or as an adjective) is irregular: 'cubierto', not 'cubrido'. Always remember this exception!
Using 'cubrir' for closing things
Mistake: “Voy a cubrir la botella.”
Correction: Voy a tapar la botella. ('Tapar' is better when referring to putting a lid or stopper on something.)
alcanzar
/al-kan-SAR//al.kanˈθaɾ/
Examples
Con este dinero no me alcanza para el alquiler.
This money is not enough for the rent.
Si ahorras, quizás te alcance para el viaje.
If you save, maybe you'll have enough for the trip.
Los suministros no alcanzan para todos los refugiados.
The supplies are not sufficient for all the refugees.
Used like 'Gustar'
When meaning 'to be enough,' alcanzar often works like gustar (to like). The thing that is or isn't enough is the subject, and the person who needs it is the indirect object (me, te, le, nos, les).
Cubrir vs. Alcanzar for 'enough'
Related Translations
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