Inklingo

How to Say "to screen" in Spanish

English → Spanish

chequear

/che-ke-AR//t͡ʃe.keˈaɾ/

verbB1general
Use 'chequear' when you mean to check something for security, health, or to verify its status.
A doctor using a stethoscope on a smiling teddy bear.

Examples

El guardia de seguridad chequeó mi bolso antes de dejarme entrar.

The security guard screened my bag before letting me in.

El doctor me chequeó la presión arterial.

The doctor checked my blood pressure.

Es importante chequearse una vez al año.

It is important to get a check-up once a year.

Están chequeando todo el equipaje en la aduana.

They are screening all the luggage at customs.

Reflexive for Self-Care

When you go to the doctor for a check-up, we often use the reflexive form 'chequearse' (to check oneself or get oneself checked).

filtrar

/feel-TRAR//filˈtɾaɾ/

verbA2general
Use 'filtrar' when you are sorting through information, data, or physical substances to remove unwanted parts.
Clear water dripping through a white cone-shaped filter into a glass jar.

Examples

El sistema filtra los correos electrónicos no deseados automáticamente.

The system screens unwanted emails automatically.

Necesitamos filtrar el agua del río antes de beberla.

We need to filter the river water before drinking it.

Las nubes filtran la luz del sol.

The clouds filter the sunlight.

Puedes filtrar los resultados de búsqueda por precio.

You can filter the search results by price.

Filtering physical things vs. digital things

Just like in English, 'filtrar' works for both cleaning water and sorting through data on a computer.

Confusing with 'colar'

Mistake:Using 'filtrar' when straining pasta.

Correction: Use 'colar' for kitchen tasks like draining pasta, and 'filtrar' for more thorough processes like water purification.

proyectar

/pro-yek-TAR//pɾojekˈtaɾ/

verbB1general
Use 'proyectar' specifically when you are showing a movie, image, or video onto a surface.
A beam of light from a device displaying a colorful mountain landscape onto a white wall.

Examples

El cine proyectó la nueva película anoche.

The cinema screened the new movie last night.

Van a proyectar la película en la pared del edificio.

They are going to project the movie on the wall of the building.

Estamos proyectando una nueva estrategia de ventas para el próximo año.

We are planning a new sales strategy for next year.

El árbol proyecta una sombra muy larga por la tarde.

The tree casts a very long shadow in the afternoon.

Using 'a' with Proyectar

When talking about projecting an image 'onto' something, use the word 'a' or 'sobre'. For example: 'Proyectar luz sobre la mesa'.

A Regular Powerhouse

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

Planning vs. Doing

Mistake:Using 'proyectar' when you mean you are actually doing the task right now.

Correction: Use 'proyectar' for the design or thinking phase. If you are doing it, use 'hacer' or 'realizar'.

seleccionar

/seh-lehk-syoh-NAHR//seleksjoˈnaɾ/

verbB2general
Use 'seleccionar' when the act of screening involves carefully choosing or picking out specific items from a larger group.
A person using a large sieve to separate small pebbles from fine golden sand.

Examples

El jurado seleccionó a los finalistas del concurso.

The jury screened the finalists for the contest.

Debemos seleccionar los mejores granos de café a mano.

We must screen the best coffee beans by hand.

El comité seleccionó a tres candidatos finales.

The committee shortlisted three final candidates.

Focus on the Result

When used in a professional context, this verb emphasizes the care and criteria used to make the choice.

Screening vs. Checking

Learners often confuse 'chequear' and 'filtrar' when 'to screen' means to evaluate or sort. Remember that 'chequear' is for verifying or checking health/security, while 'filtrar' is for removing unwanted elements from data or substances.

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