Inklingo

How to Say "to enlist" in Spanish

English → Spanish

unirse

/oo-NEER-seh//uˈniɾse/

verbA2military or service
Use 'unirse' when referring to joining a group, organization, or cause, including military service, emphasizing the act of becoming part of something larger.
A small, smiling figure stepping into a welcoming circle formed by three other figures, illustrating joining a group.

Examples

Muchos jóvenes decidieron unirse al ejército después de la crisis.

Many young people decided to enlist in the army after the crisis.

¿Quieres unirte a nuestro grupo de estudio?

Do you want to join our study group?

Me uní al equipo el mes pasado.

I joined the team last month.

The Reflexive 'Se'

Because 'unir' (to unite something else) becomes 'unirse' (to unite oneself), you must include the little pronoun (me, te, se, nos, os) that matches the subject doing the action.

Using 'A' after Unirse

When you join something, you almost always use the preposition 'a' (to/at) right after the verb: 'Me uno al club' (I join the club). Remember 'al' is the short form of 'a el'.

Forgetting the Reflexive Pronoun

Mistake: “Yo uno el grupo.”

Correction: Yo *me uno* al grupo. ('Yo uno' means 'I unite something else,' not 'I join.')

meterse

meh-TEHR-seh/meˈteɾ.se/

verbC1joining the army or a service
Use 'meterse' to describe the action of entering or joining a profession or a particular situation, often implying a more personal or sometimes even an intrusive involvement, like becoming a journalist.
A cartoon figure diving enthusiastically into a large open book, symbolizing dedication to a new subject or career.

Examples

Tras graduarse, se metió en la policía nacional.

After graduating, he enlisted in the national police.

Después de la universidad, se metió a periodista.

After university, he became a journalist.

Ella se metió en política para cambiar las cosas.

She got into politics to change things.

Focus on Commitment

This usage emphasizes the act of committing or immersing oneself fully into a specific role, career, or lifestyle.

Choosing Between 'Unirse' and 'Meterse'

Learners often confuse 'unirse' and 'meterse' when talking about joining the military or a service. Remember that 'unirse' is more general for joining any group or cause, while 'meterse' often implies a deeper personal commitment or entry into a specific role or profession.

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