Inklingo

How to Say "to overlap" in Spanish

English → Spanish

coincidir

/koyn-see-DEER//koinsiˈðiɾ/

verbB1general
Use 'coincidir' when talking about schedules, dates, or events happening at the same time.
Two raindrops hitting a calm puddle at the exact same moment, creating overlapping ripples.

Examples

Nuestras vacaciones coinciden en agosto.

Our vacations overlap in August.

Coincidí con María en el supermercado ayer.

I bumped into María at the supermarket yesterday.

Es una pena que los dos eventos coincidan el mismo día.

It's a shame that both events happen on the same day.

Using 'con' for People

When you want to say you bumped into someone, you must use the word 'con' (with). Example: 'Coincidí con él' means 'I bumped into him'.

Regular -ir patterns

This verb follows the standard rules for verbs ending in -ir, so there are no tricky stem changes to memorize!

Don't use it for planned meetings

Mistake:Coincidí con mi jefe para una reunión.

Correction: Quedé con mi jefe para una reunión. Use 'quedar' for plans and 'coincidir' for accidents or random chance.

cabalgar

/kah-bahl-GAHR//kaβalˈɡaɾ/

verbC1literary/descriptive
Use 'cabalgar' when describing objects or concepts that are physically positioned across or straddling each other, like mountains and clouds.
Two colorful rectangular tiles partially covering one another on a white surface.

Examples

Las nubes parecen cabalgar sobre las cumbres de las montañas.

The clouds seem to overlap/straddle the mountain peaks.

En este diseño, un color debe cabalgar sobre el otro.

In this design, one color must overlap the other.

Figurative Use

When used figuratively, this word suggests a sense of dominance or being 'on top' of a situation or physical space.

Coincidir vs. Cabalgar

Learners often confuse 'coincidir' and 'cabalgar' by using 'coincidir' for physical positioning. Remember, 'coincidir' is for things happening at the same time (like schedules), while 'cabalgar' describes physical overlap or straddling.

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