How to Say "to lay" in Spanish
The Spanish word for “to lay” is “asentar” — B1 level. This is a very common word in everyday Spanish.
Examples
Primero tenemos que asentar las bases del negocio.
First we have to lay the foundations of the business.
El edificio se asienta sobre un terreno firme.
The building sits/is settled on firm ground.
Asentó la taza sobre el plato con suavidad.
He placed the cup on the plate gently.
The Stem Change
For most meanings, the 'e' changes to 'ie' when it's stressed (like in 'asiento' or 'asientas'), but stays 'e' in the 'we' and 'you all' forms.
Asentar vs. Sentar
Use 'sentar' for sitting in a chair, but use 'asentar' for fixing something firmly in place or establishing a base.
Forgetting the stem change
Mistake: “Yo asento las bases.”
Correction: Yo asiento las bases. (Remember the e -> ie change!)
Related Translations
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