Inklingo

How to Say "to establish" in Spanish

English → Spanish

establecer

/es-ta-ble-SÉR//est̪aβleˈseɾ/

verbA2general
Use 'establecer' when you mean to set up, create, or institute something formal like a rule, an organization, a system, or a business.
A hand carefully placing a solid, rectangular block onto a finished foundation, symbolizing the establishment of a system or rule.

Examples

El gobierno quiere establecer nuevas leyes de tráfico.

The government wants to establish new traffic laws.

Decidieron establecer una sucursal en Madrid el año pasado.

They decided to set up a branch office in Madrid last year.

The 'ZC' Change

This verb is slightly irregular. When the 'yo' form of the present tense and all forms of the present subjunctive are used, the 'c' changes to 'zc' (e.g., establezco, establezca). This is a very common pattern for verbs ending in -ecer.

Forgetting the 'ZC'

Mistake: “Yo estableco”

Correction: Yo establezco. Remember that 'zc' is needed to keep the pronunciation consistent before the 'o' or 'a'.

organizar

or-gah-nee-SAR/or.ɣa.niˈsaɾ/

verbB1general
Choose 'organizar' when the act of establishing involves putting together or arranging people or elements into a structured group or event.
An image showing two hands carefully placing the final brightly colored, simple geometric block into an interlocking structure on a table, symbolizing the creation of a system.

Examples

Los vecinos decidieron organizar una asociación para limpiar el parque.

The neighbors decided to form an association to clean the park.

La empresa está organizando un nuevo departamento de innovación tecnológica.

The company is setting up a new department for technological innovation.

sentar

/sen-TAR//senˈtaɾ/

verbB1figurative
Use 'sentar' primarily in the idiomatic expression 'sentar un precedente,' meaning to set an example or create a basis for future actions.
A person is wearing a perfectly tailored, bright green shirt that fits them impeccably, and they look pleased.

Examples

Ese color verde te sienta muy bien.

That green color suits you very well.

La comida picante no me sienta bien por la noche.

Spicy food doesn't agree with me at night.

El juez sentó un precedente con su decisión.

The judge established a precedent with his decision.

Used like 'Gustar'

When talking about suitability (food/clothing), 'sentar' often works backward, like 'gustar'. The thing (food, color) is the subject, and the person is the indirect object (me, te, le, etc.).

Establecer vs. Organizar

Learners often confuse 'establecer' and 'organizar'. Remember that 'establecer' is for creating the structure itself (like a law or a company), while 'organizar' focuses more on the process of bringing elements or people together to form that structure or an event.

Related Translations

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