Inklingo

How to Say "to mix" in Spanish

English → Spanish

mezclar

/mess-KLAR//mesˈklaɾ/

verbA1general
Use 'mezclar' when combining two or more distinct physical substances, especially in cooking or chemical processes.
A wooden spoon stirring colorful paints together in a large white bowl.

Examples

Tienes que mezclar los huevos con el azúcar.

You have to mix the eggs with the sugar.

Si mezclas azul y amarillo, obtienes verde.

If you mix blue and yellow, you get green.

No mezcles la ropa blanca con la de color.

Don't mix the white clothes with the colored ones.

Using the connector 'con'

When mixing one thing into another, Spanish always uses the word 'con' (with). Example: 'Mezcla el agua con la harina'.

The Z to C spelling swap

To keep the pronunciation smooth, the 'z' in mezclar changes to a 'c' whenever the next letter is an 'e'. This happens in the 'yo' form of the past and all 'special forms' (subjunctive).

Don't use 'en' for ingredients

Mistake: “Mezclo el azúcar en el café.”

Correction: Mezclo el azúcar con el café. In Spanish, you mix something 'with' something else, rather than 'in' it.

combinar

kom-bee-NAHR/kombiˈnaɾ/

verbA1general
Use 'combinar' when blending different elements together to create a new whole, often implying harmony or integration.
A wooden bowl with flour, eggs, and sugar being stirred together with a wooden spoon.

Examples

Debes combinar la harina con el azúcar.

You must combine the flour with the sugar.

Combinamos diferentes estilos de música en el festival.

We combine different styles of music at the festival.

El arquitecto combinó madera y cristal en el diseño.

The architect combined wood and glass in the design.

Using 'Con'

When you want to say you are combining one thing with another, always use the word 'con' (with), just like in English.

A Perfectly Regular Verb

This verb follows the standard rules for all -ar verbs. If you know how to conjugate 'hablar,' you already know how to conjugate 'combinar'!

Matching vs. Combining

Mistake: “Using 'mezclar' for clothes.”

Correction: Use 'combinar' for things that look good together (like clothes) and 'mezclar' for things that physically blend into one (like milk and coffee).

remover

/rreh-moh-behr//re.mo.ˈβer/

verbA2general
Use 'remover' specifically when stirring a liquid or mixture to incorporate ingredients or help something dissolve.
A wooden spoon stirring a thick red soup in a blue pot.

Examples

Tienes que remover el café para que el azúcar se disuelva.

You have to stir the coffee so the sugar dissolves.

Remueve la sopa constantemente para que no se pegue al fondo.

Stir the soup constantly so it doesn't stick to the bottom.

Removió la pintura con un palo antes de usarla.

He stirred the paint with a stick before using it.

The Stem Change

This verb is a 'boot verb.' The 'o' changes to 'ue' in all present tense forms except for 'we' (nosotros) and 'you all' (vosotros).

False Friend Alert!

Mistake: “Using 'remover' to mean 'to take off' clothes or 'remove' a stain.”

Correction: Use 'quitar' for removing objects or stains. Say 'Quitar la mancha' not 'Remover la mancha'.

Mezclar vs. Combinar

Learners often confuse 'mezclar' and 'combinar'. While both involve putting things together, 'mezclar' focuses on the physical act of blending distinct items, whereas 'combinar' suggests creating a harmonious new entity.

Related Translations

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