Inklingo

How to Say "to frame" in Spanish

English → Spanish

enmarcar

/en-mar-KAR//enmaɾˈkaɾ/

verbA2
Use 'enmarcar' when you are talking about putting a physical frame around a picture, artwork, or other object.
Hands placing a wooden frame around a painting of a landscape.

Examples

Voy a enmarcar la acuarela que compré.

I am going to frame the watercolor I bought.

Quiero enmarcar esta foto de nuestra boda.

I want to frame this photo from our wedding.

El carpintero enmarcó el espejo con madera de roble.

The carpenter framed the mirror with oak wood.

Esas montañas enmarcan el pueblo de una manera preciosa.

Those mountains frame the town in a beautiful way.

The 'C' to 'QU' Change

When 'c' is followed by 'e', it changes to 'qu' to keep the hard 'K' sound. This happens in the 'yo' form of the past (enmarqué) and all forms of the subjunctive (enmarque).

Spelling the Past Tense

Mistake: “Yo enmarcé.”

Correction: Yo enmarqué. Because 'ce' sounds like 'se', we use 'que' to keep the original sound of the verb.

enfocar

/en-fo-kar//em.foˈkaɾ/

verbB2
Use 'enfocar' when you mean to present or view a situation, problem, or argument from a specific perspective or angle.
A person standing in front of a giant tangled knot, holding a single loose thread to begin untying it.

Examples

Debemos enfocar este debate desde una perspectiva económica.

We must approach this debate from an economic perspective.

Debemos enfocar este problema desde una perspectiva diferente.

We must approach this problem from a different perspective.

El escritor enfocó su novela en la vida rural.

The writer centered his novel on rural life.

Es importante cómo enfoques la entrevista de trabajo.

How you approach the job interview is important.

Using Prepositions

When you focus on a specific topic, you usually follow the word with 'en' (enfocar el estudio en...) or 'hacia' (aim toward).

Direct vs Indirect

Mistake: “Saying 'enfocarse a un problema'.”

Correction: Usually say 'enfocarse en' or just 'enfocar el problema'.

incriminar

/een-cree-mee-NAHR//inkɾimiˈnaɾ/

verbB2formal
Use 'incriminar' when someone is intentionally made to appear guilty of a crime, often through evidence or testimony.
A person in a green shirt pointing an accusing finger at a surprised person in a blue shirt while holding a bag of gold coins.

Examples

El abogado intentó incriminar al testigo.

The lawyer tried to incriminate the witness.

La policía encontró un arma que podría incriminar al sospechoso.

The police found a weapon that could incriminate the suspect.

Él jura que es inocente y que alguien intentó incriminarlo.

He swears he is innocent and that someone tried to frame him.

No puedes incriminar a nadie sin tener pruebas sólidas.

You cannot implicate anyone without having solid proof.

The 'Personal A'

Since you usually incriminate a person, you must use the word 'a' before the person's name or title (e.g., 'incriminar a Juan').

Using 'de' for the crime

To specify the crime someone is being implicated in, use the word 'de' (e.g., 'lo incriminaron de robo').

Don't use it for minor mistakes

Mistake: “Mi hermana me incriminó de romper el vaso.”

Correction: Mi hermana me culpó de romper el vaso.

inculpar

/een-kool-PAR//inkulˈpaɾ/

verbB2formal
Use 'inculpar' when someone is falsely accused or blamed for a crime or wrongdoing, implying they are not actually guilty.
A person in a shadow is placing a stolen-looking necklace into an unsuspecting person's open bag.

Examples

No hay pruebas suficientes para inculparlo.

There is not enough evidence to falsely accuse him.

No hay suficientes pruebas para inculpar al sospechoso.

There isn't enough evidence to incriminate the suspect.

Él intentó inculpar a su compañero para salvarse.

He tried to blame his partner to save himself.

Fue inculpado injustamente por un crimen que no cometió.

He was unjustly charged for a crime he didn't commit.

The Personal 'a'

Since 'inculpar' involves doing something to a person, you must use 'a' before the name or noun of the person being accused (e.g., 'Inculpar a Juan').

Connecting the Crime

Use the word 'de' to link the person to the specific crime or fault, like saying 'to incriminate someone of something'.

Confusing 'Culpar' and 'Inculpar'

Mistake: “Using 'inculpar' for small daily mistakes like 'inculpé a mi hermano por comerse el pastel'.”

Correction: Use 'culpar' for general blame and 'inculpar' for formal or legal accusations of crimes.

Confusing Accusation vs. Presentation

The most common confusion is between 'enfocar' (to present an idea) and the verbs related to false accusation ('incriminar', 'inculpar'). Remember that 'enfocar' deals with perspective and presentation, not guilt. 'Incriminar' and 'inculpar' both relate to making someone seem guilty, but 'incriminar' often implies presenting evidence of guilt, while 'inculpar' suggests a false or unfounded accusation.

Related Translations

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